Choice of resin cement shades for a high-translucency zirconia product to mask dark, discolored or metal substrates

PURPOSE. The aim was to study the masking ability of high-translucency monolithic zirconia and provide guidance in selecting resin luting cements in order to mask discolored substrates. MATERIALS AND METHODS. 160 high-translucency zirconia specimens were divided into 32 groups depending on their thickness and shades. Using five shades of try-in paste, the specimens were luted onto the substrates (Co-Cr, precious-metal, opaque porcelain-sintered Co-Cr, opaque porcelain-sintered precious-metal, and 5M3-shade zirconia). All CIELAB color parameters were measured and statistically analyzed. RESULTS. Zirconia shade and thickness and try-in paste shade affected CIELAB color parameters (P=.000) in different substrates groups, and there were interactions among these factors (P=.000). All five try-in paste shades can be chosen to achieve Delta E values of zirconia with 1.2 - 1.5 mm for masking dark-tooth-like 5M3-shade and zirconia with 1.5 mm for masking precious-metal groups < 2.6. Only suitable try-in paste shades were used, can Delta E values that less than 2.6 be achieved when applied translucent monolithic zirconia with 0.7-1.0 mm for masking dark-tooth-like 5M3-shade and zirconia with 0.7 - 1.2 mm for masking precious-metal groups. CONCLUSION. Choosing suitable resin cement shades is necessary for high-translucency monolithic zirconia to achieve ideal masking ability (Delta E < 2.6) on the dark-tooth.