Color Stability, Gloss Retention, and Surface Roughness of 3D-Printed versus Indirect Prefabricated Veneers

The long-term color stability and surface properties of anterior laminate veneers are among the crucial factors affecting the clinical longevity of aesthetic restorations. Novel 3D-printed materials are being introduced as definitive restorative treatment. In light of the existing variety of indirect yet minimally invasive composite resin veneers, research on their surface properties is warranted. This in vitro study evaluated the effect of artificial aging by immersion in different staining solutions on the color changes, gloss, and surface roughness (Ra) of 3D-printed veneers compared to the prefabricated resin composite veneer systems (PRCVs) manufactured by Componeer and Edelweiss. Moreover, this study compared the effects of two methods for stain removal: repolishing with Sof-Lex disks and in-office bleaching with 40% hydrogen peroxide. The veneers (n = 24) were randomly divided according to the immersion solutions used, i.e., tea and coffee. Colorimetric measurements, surface roughness, and surface gloss were determined before and after staining and surface treatment with either in-office bleaching or surface polishing. The data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey’s post hoc test (α = 0.05). Artificial aging with immersion in staining solutions led to significant color changes, increased surface roughness, and gloss reduction in all materials (p < 0.05). The 3D-printed veneers showed higher ΔE values (coffee = 10.112 ± 0.141) and (tea = 10.689 ± 0.771) compared to baseline after 7 days of aging. The 3D-printed veneers had a statistically significant surface roughness Ra (0.574 µm ± 0.073). The gloss was >70% in all groups at baseline; these values dropped in all groups after 7 days of artificial aging. After the stain-removing procedures, the ΔE values decreased in all tested veneers. That being said, they failed to return to the baseline values, and both stain-removing methods were found to have an adverse effect on surface roughness and gloss retention in all tested veneers.