STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Color matching between natural teeth, shade guides, and metal-ceramic restorations is a common clinical problem. Difficulties related to color matching arise from structural differences that exist between metal-ceramic crowns and natural teeth, the limited range of available ceramic shades, inadequate shade guides, different types of metal alloys, and varying compositions of ceramic materials. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of various metal alloys and 2 porcelains on the final color of metal-ceramic complex. Material and methods Four commercial alloys for metal-ceramic restorations, a Ni-Cr (Thermobond), a Co-Cr (Wirobond), a Pd-rich noble (Cerapal-2), and a high noble Au-alloy (V-Delta) were combined with 2 porcelains (Vita Omega and Ceramco Silver) in metal-ceramic specimens with a standardized thickness of layers. Five disc-shaped (10 x 1 mm) specimens were prepared for each alloy/porcelain combination. Only opaque and dentin layers were applied (shade A3). The specimens were analyzed with a spectrophotometer, and data were obtained in the CIE Lab color system. The recorded data were analyzed with a 2-way multiple analysis of variance , a pair-wise comparison of group means (Student's t test), and finally, a categorical regression analysis of variance (CATREG) (alpha=.01). RESULTS: The types of alloy substrate and overlying porcelain significantly affected the color (P < .01). Au and Co-Cr alloys were found to be brighter (higher L* values) than the Ni-Cr and the Pd alloys ( P <.01, SE 0.239). Ceramco porcelain was found to be most red (higher a* values) of all tested alloys ( P <.01). Gold and Pd alloys caused a yellow shift to the metal-ceramic color compared to the Ni-Cr and the Co-Cr alloys with both porcelains ( P < .01, SE 0.165). The detected color differences were visually perceptible for some alloy-porcelain combinations. CONCLUSIONS: The final color of metal ceramic specimens was influenced both from the type of alloy substructure and from the type of overlying porcelain.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Color matching between natural teeth, shade guides, and metal-ceramic restorations is a common clinical problem. Difficulties related to color matching arise from structural differences that exist between metal-ceramic crowns and natural teeth, the limited range of available ceramic shades, inadequate shade guides, different types of metal alloys, and varying compositions of ceramic materials. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of various metal alloys and 2 porcelains on the final color of metal-ceramic complex. Material and methods Four commercial alloys for metal-ceramic restorations, a Ni-Cr (Thermobond), a Co-Cr (Wirobond), a Pd-rich noble (Cerapal-2), and a high noble Au-alloy (V-Delta) were combined with 2 porcelains (Vita Omega and Ceramco Silver) in metal-ceramic specimens with a standardized thickness of layers. Five disc-shaped (10 x 1 mm) specimens were prepared for each alloy/porcelain combination. Only opaque and dentin layers were applied (shade A3). The specimens were analyzed with a spectrophotometer, and data were obtained in the CIE Lab color system. The recorded data were analyzed with a 2-way multiple analysis of variance , a pair-wise comparison of group means (Student's t test), and finally, a categorical regression analysis of variance (CATREG) (alpha=.01). RESULTS: The types of alloy substrate and overlying porcelain significantly affected the color (P < .01). Au and Co-Cr alloys were found to be brighter (higher L* values) than the Ni-Cr and the Pd alloys ( P <.01, SE 0.239). Ceramco porcelain was found to be most red (higher a* values) of all tested alloys ( P <.01). Gold and Pd alloys caused a yellow shift to the metal-ceramic color compared to the Ni-Cr and the Co-Cr alloys with both porcelains ( P < .01, SE 0.165). The detected color differences were visually perceptible for some alloy-porcelain combinations. CONCLUSIONS: The final color of metal ceramic specimens was influenced both from the type of alloy substructure and from the type of overlying porcelain.