A method for evaluating color stability of light-cured composite resins using an experimental filter.

The purpose of this study was to investigate a method for evaluating color stability of light-cured composite resins using an experimental filter that simulates human enamel. The light transmission coefficients and their spectral distributions from 400 to 600 nm of twelve enamel specimens were measured. The experimental filter was designed so that its light transmittance characteristics were similar to those of enamel. Color stability tests for ten shades of two light-cured composite resins, which were irradiated directly and indirectly through the experimental filter with a light source, were performed. Despite different irradiation procedures, most materials exhibited significant color changes in the color stability test. Although the differences were small, the group of specimens irradiated indirectly through the filter showed significantly higher color differences in comparison with those irradiated directly. Our results indicate that the light attenuating effect of enamel affects the color stability of light-cured composite resins.