Color stability of different denture teeth materials against various staining agents.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the color stability of two brands of porcelain teeth and three brands of acrylic denture teeth. Samples were immersed into three staining drinks as test groups and distilled water as a control. Color measurements of teeth were performed by using a spectrophotometer. Before immersion, the initial color value of each tooth was recorded. Color change values were determined after 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks of immersion. Color differences were characterized using the CIE L*a*b* color space. The color stability of all teeth was significantly affected by the immersion period (p<0.0001). Instant coffee was found to be the most chromogenic agent among the solutions tested (p<0.0001). Among the materials tested, porcelain was found to be more resistant to discoloration. It was concluded that acrylic teeth showed a higher degree of color change and that the amount of color change for each group increased proportionally with time.