Evaluation of shade matching of a novel supra-nano filled esthetic resin composite employing structural color using simplified simulated clinical cavities

Objective To evaluate the shade matching ability of a novel supra-nano filled esthetic resin composite employing structural color technology using simplified simulated clinical cavities. Filler morphology and light transmittance characteristics were also evaluated. Materials and Methods One-hundred and twenty frames of resin composite were built in A1, A2, A3, and A4 shades to simulate Class I cavities (diameter = 4 mm, height = 2 mm). For each shaded frame, cavities were filled with three different types of filler containing resin composites (n = 10): supra-nano filled (SN filled) resin composite, microhybrid filled (MH filled) resin composite, and clustered-nano filled (CN filled) resin composite. Color parameters were calculated using CIELAB (oE(ab)) and CIEDE2000 (oE(00)). Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Duncan's test (alpha = .05). Filler morphology and light transmittance characteristics were measured to explore the role of structural color on shade matching. Results oE(ab) and oE(00) of SN filled resin composite were significantly lower in A2, A3, and A4 shades (P < .05). Conclusions The SN filled resin composite showed better shade matching with A2, A3, and A4 shades of resin composite frames compared to MH filled resin composite, and CN filled resin composite. Clinical Significance Universal-shade resin composites, which were expected to match nearly all shades, simplify the restorative procedure. Resin composite, which contained spherical supra-nano filler particles, could contribute most to its shade matching by stimulating structural color. Structural color technology may provide additional benefits for shade matching of resin composites.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the shade matching ability of a novel supra-nano filled esthetic resin composite using structural color technology in simplified simulated clinical cavities. The results showed that the supra-nano filled resin composite had lower color differences in A2, A3, and A4 shades compared to other types of filled resin composites. The use of spherical supra-nano filler particles contributed most to shade matching by stimulating structural color, suggesting potential benefits of structural color technology for shade matching in resin composites.