Effect of shading technique and thickness on color stability and translucency of new generation translucent zirconia.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of shading technique and thickness on the color stability and translucency of translucent zirconia after coffee thermocycling.

Methods: Specimens in different thicknesses (1; 1.5; 2 mm) (n = 4 for each thickness) were sectioned from translucent preshaded zirconia (Pre) and externally shaded zirconia (Ext). After sintering, specimens were glazed and subjected to 10,000 thermocycling in coffee solution. The color coordinates of specimens were measured with a spectroradiometer before and after coffee thermocyling. Color differences and relative translucency parameter (RTP) values were calculated with CIEDE2000 color difference and TP formulas. ANOVA was used to analyze the CIEDE2000 color difference and RTP values (α = 0.05).

Results: According to 2-way ANOVA, no significant effect of shading technique and thickness on the color difference values was found (P > .05). According to 3-way ANOVA, a significant interaction between the shading technique and thickness (P < .0001) was found for RTP. The RTP parameter decreased with the increase in the thickness. Ext specimens presented significantly higher RTP than Pre specimens (P < .0001), except for between Ext 1 mm and Pre 1 mm (P = .179).

Conclusions: Neither shading technique nor tested thicknesses affected the color of translucent zirconia. Shading technique and thickness affected the RTP of translucent zirconia. The RTP was inversely affected with the thickness of the material. Externally shaded zirconia presented higher RTP than preshaded zirconia for specimens thicker than 1 mm.

Clinical Significance: Discoloration with coffee was insignificant for the tested translucent zirconia in tested thicknesses (1, 1.5, 2 mm). When a translucent restoration is intended, thinner externally shaded translucent zirconia restorations should be preferred instead of preshaded translucent zirconia.