Pre-Heating of Low-Shrinkage Composite Resins: Effects on Color Stability and Surface Roughness

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of preheating on the color stability and surface roughness of a silorane-based composite resin. Materials and Methods: A total of 44 Filtek P90 composite resin disks, (10mm×1mm), were fabricated using plastic molds and were divided into two groups. In group 2, the composite resin syringes were placed in a thermostatically controlled water bath at 55‒60°C before preparing the disks. After polishing the samples with silicon carbide papers, they were stored in distilled water for 48 hours. Roughness and color parameters were then measured in two stages: immediately after retrieval from distilled water and after 40 days of storage in tea solution. Finally, the differences in roughness and color parameters were recorded. Independent sample t-test and regression analysis were used at a significance level of P<0.05. Results: Based on the findings of the present study, there was no significant difference among the mean ∆E values (P=0.4); however, a significant difference in mean surface roughness (P=0.01) was found between the two groups. Regression analysis showed a significant relationship between the study groups in terms of surface roughness and ΔE values​ (preheated: r(2) = 0.73; non-preheated: r(2)= 0.76). Conclusion: Filtek P90 silorane-base composite showed ΔE>3.3 and surface roughness above 0.2µ under preheated and non-preheated conditions and discoloration increased following preheating.