The effectiveness of four methods for stain removal from direct resin- based composite restorative materials

A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by John R. Radford.

Abstract

Although the use of home bleaching will remove stains on resin composite restorations, this may increase surface roughness and, as a consequence, future staining.

Main

Al-Nahedh HN, Awliya WY. Saudi Dent J 2013; 25: 61–67

There were two research questions: which technique is most effective at removing food stains from three different classes of resin composite and, in establishing the experimental model, which resin composite is most prone to staining? The staining regimen was harsh. It comprised immersing resin composite disk specimens (n = 20, for each class of resin composite) for 3 weeks in a solution of cranberry juice, instant coffee and tea. Colour change was quantified using CIELAB. Of those tested, the most resistant to discolouration was 3M^™ ESPE^™ Filtek^™ Z250 Universal Restorative, a proven microhybrid. In contrast, and has been previously reported, Filtek^™ Supreme XTE Universal Restorative (nanocomposite) was the most susceptible to staining. This has been attributed to either 1) porosity of the glass filler particles or 2) more probably, the increased proportion of the hydrophilic monomer TEGDMA resulting in increased uptake of water in the Bis-GMA resin. Home bleaching (10% carbamide peroxide) was consistently effective at removing stains, as was the use of Sof-Lex^™ discs.