Evaluation of the color and appearance of a new textured opaque porcelain.

Porcelains that are claimed to improve the appearance of metal ceramic restorations by increasing light refraction from a highly textured opaque surface have recently been introduced. This study compared the appearance and color of one of these opaque porcelains with a conventional smooth-surface opaque. The opaque porcelains were applied to alloy substrates, and samples were evaluated colorimetrically. After the application of body and incisal porcelains, the samples were evaluated subjectively by clinicians and again colorimetrically. Subjective determination of the most lifelike porcelain depended on the shade. Color differences existed between the opaque porcelains for all shades examined.