Effects of storage time and restoration depth on instrumental color adjustment potential of universal resin composites

Purpose: To determine the instrumental color adjustment potential (CAP-I) of 3 universal composites at 2 time intervals and 2 depths. Methods: Omnichroma, Estelite Sigma Quick, and Filtek Universal Restorative were tested. Two types of specimens were prepared. For dual specimens, Class V restorations were created in anterior denture teeth and restored with resin composites. For single specimens, replications were fabricated with resin composites (n = 10). Unrestored teeth were used for comparison. Color was measured with a spectrophotometer at 24 h and 1 month, and CAP-I was calculated. Data were compared by analysis of variance followed by the Student t-test and paired sample t-test. Results: The CAP-I of tested materials ranged from 0.11 to 0.27 at 24 h and from 0.60 to 0.76 at 1 month. At 24 h, Omnichroma yielded the highest values, followed by Estelite Sigma Quick and Filtek Universal Restorative (P < 0.05). CAP-I was significantly higher at 1 month than at 24 h in all groups. In all groups, restorations with a depth of 3.0 mm yielded better results than restorations with a depth of 2.0 mm (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Storage time and restoration depth were positively associated with CAP-I. Single-shade and multi-shade universal composites are good alternatives for color-matched, esthetically satisfying restorations.