Evaluation of color stability and microhardness of contemporary bulk-fill composite resins with different polymerization properties.

Objectives: To determine the color stability and microhardness of three bulk-fill composites with different polymerization characteristics, after immersion in four different solutions.

Materials And Methods: Color measurements of three bulk fill (Viscalor (VIS), Tetric PowerFill (TPF), Fill Up! (FUP)) and a microhyrid composite resin (G-aenial posterior [GCP]) were performed after polymerization. The specimens were immersed in coffee, cola, red wine and distilled water. Discolorations were recorded after 24 h (T1), 10 days (T2) and 30 days (T3) of immersion. ΔE (CIEDE2000) values were calculated. Vickers microhardness (VHN) was measured from top and bottom surfaces at T0 and T3. Data was analyzed with Two-way ANOVA, One-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests.

Results: The highest discoloration was seen in wine and the lowest in distilled water and cola. At T3, there was no difference in distilled water groups, while the statistically highest ΔE were obtained in TPF and GCP in coffee, cola and wine. VIS groups had the highest VHN values at T0 and T3 in all solutions.

Conclusions: Samples immersed in coffee and wine showed discoloration beyond clinically acceptable limits. After 30 days, discoloration occurred in all materials immersed in all solutions. At T3, VIS microhardness generally decreased, while TPF did not.

Clinical Significance: After 30 days, all bulk-fill composites immersed in distilled water, coffee and wine showed clinically unacceptable ΔE .