Optical properties of dentine- and enamel-shade resin composite systems at different thicknesses in single-layer and layered configurations for thin esthetic restorations
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Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of resin composite system, shade category, and thickness on the optical properties of Filtek Z350 XT and Ceram X Duo in single-layer and layered configurations.
Materials and Methods: Disc-shaped specimens (6 mm diameter) were fabricated from Filtek Z350 XT (3M-ESPE) and Ceram X Duo (Dentsply Sirona) resin composite systems. For single-layer specimens, dentine and enamel shades were prepared at seven thicknesses: 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, and 1.0 mm (n=15/group). For layered specimens, dentine/enamel thickness combinations of 0.3/0.3, 0.3/0.5, 0.4/0.4, 0.5/0.3, 0.3/0.7, 0.5/0.5, and 0.7/0.3 mm were prepared (n=15/group). Translucency parameter (TP), contrast ratio (CR), and opalescence parameter (OP) were measured using a spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunn–Bonferroni post hoc comparisons. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to assess associations between thickness and optical properties (p< 0.05).
Results: In single-layer specimens, increasing thickness decreased TP and increased CR in all resin composite systems and shade categories (p<0.05). Thickness differences of ≥0.2 mm generally produced significant changes in TP and CR except between 0.8 and 1.0 mm, where the rate of change decreased, whereas ≤0.1 mm differences were usually not significant. Dentine shades were less translucent and more opaque than enamel shades at the same thickness. Thickness was strongly negatively correlated with TP (R=–0.975 to –0.990) and positively correlated with CR (R=0.990). OP behavior depended on the resin composite system and shade
category. In layered specimens, dentine/enamel thickness configuration significantly affected TP, CR, and OP, even when total thickness was constant.
Conclusion: Within the limitations of this laboratory study, increasing resin composite thickness decreased translucency and increased opacity. Dentine-shade composites were less translucent and more opaque than enamel-shade composites. In layered configurations, the dentine–enamel thickness ratio affected TP, CR, and OP, while OP was also influenced by resin composite system and shade category. Material selection and controlled dentine–enamel layer thickness should be considered when managing optical outcomes in thin esthetic resin composite restorations.
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