Comparative evaluation of color stability of three commercially available provisional restorative materials: An in vitro study

AIM: Esthetics of the provisional restorations is of prime importance to the patients especially in long term in the esthetic zone. Discolouration of these restorations may result in patient dissatisfaction and an additional expense for their replacement. LuxaCrown provisional material being new in market and claimed to be semi-permanent by the company needs to be evaluated for its colour stability. This in vitro study was aimed to evaluate and compare the colour stability of three provisional restorations using three pigmented solutions. SETTING AND DESIGN: In vitro - comparative study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LuxaCrown, Protemp4, Heat cure PMMA were evaluated. 40 specimens of each material were divided into four groups of ten specimens each. Each group was stored in three staining solutions and artificial saliva. Colour values of each specimen were measured before immersion, after one day, one week, one month, three months and six months with a spectrophotometer. STASTISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: One way ANOVA, Post Hoc Tukey Test, Bonferonni Test. RESULTS: Least colour change was seen in Heat Cure PMMA followed by Protemp4 and highest colour change was seen in LuxaCrown when immersed in artificial saliva, tea and coffee. Whereas in turmeric, Heat Cure PMMA showed the least colour change followed by LuxaCrown and highest colour change was seen in Protemp4 at all time intervals except day one, where LuxaCrown was higher than Protemp4. CONCLUSION: Heat cure showed the best results as compared to Protemp4 and LuxaCrown in terms of colour stability at all time periods.