Keywords
composite resins - fluorescence - opalescence - spectrophotometry
Introduction
The opalescence and fluorescence of restorative materials along with their conventional
color parameters such as value, hue, and chroma play an important role in optical
properties of an ideal restoration for natural teeth.[1]
[2]
In the process of production of restorative materials to ideally mimic the optical
properties of natural teeth, it is imperative to find a scientific path to quantitatively
assess the optical properties of teeth. The Enamel of natural teeth has opalescence.
Light scattering in shorter wavelengths of the visible spectrum creates a blue tint
in the reflected color and an orange/brown tint in the transmitted color.[3] Light emission in the visible light spectrum is due to the presence of small particles.
The opalescence of dental materials is defined as the difference in chroma between
the reflected and transmitted colors.[4]
[5]
[6] Human teeth show unique opalescence, translucency, and fluorescence, which should
be restored by esthetic restorative materials. Esthetic dental restorations should
have optical properties similar to those of natural teeth in terms of opalescence.
Natural teeth have a blue fluorescence under ultraviolet (UV) light; thus, they appear
whiter and lighter under daylight.[7]
[8] The fluorescence is defined as the emission of light by natural teeth that have
absorbed light. Irradiation of dentin by 365 nm light causes a fluorescence emission
at 440 ± 10 nm peak.[9] Fluorescence of dental materials can be determined by the color difference in presence
and absence of UV light using a spectrophotometer.[10]
[11]
The opalescence of resin materials is determined by the difference in the refractive
index of resin matrix and fillers.[5] On the other hand, the fluorescence of resin materials is determined by the presence
of certain fluorescent pigments in their structure rather than their resin matrix
or filler particles. During the process of polymerization, the refractive index of
resin matrix increases, but the refractive index of fillers remains unchanged. Therefore,
difference in the refractive index of resin matrix and inorganic fillers and the difference
in opalescence and fluorescence of resin restorative materials are affected by the
polymerization process.
Lee systematically reviewed the opalescence of human teeth and esthetic restorative
materials and suggested that materials with the ability to mimic the opalescent properties
of the Enamel should be further evaluated.[12] Thus, further investigations are required about the opalescence and fluorescence
of composite resins. The light transmission by composite resins has been the topic
of many previous studies. However, the translucency, opalescence, and light transmission
of composite resins when applied in different thicknesses have not been well investigated.[13]
Composite resins have different color shades, resin matrix composition, and fillers.
The opalescence and fluorescence of composite resins may vary depending on their type
and color shade. The purpose of this study was to assess the opalescence and fluorescence
of two composite resins. The effect of composite thickness, the Enamel and Body types
of composite resins, and their brand on opalescence and fluorescence was also studied.
The null hypothesis of this study was that the opalescence and fluorescence of the
two tested composite resins would not be significantly different, and composite thickness,
the Enamel and Body types of composite resins, and their brand would have no significant
effect on opalescence and fluorescence of the tested composite resins.
Materials and Methods
This in vitro experimental study evaluated the opalescence and fluorescence of A2
shade of Filtek Z350 XT Enamel, Filtek Z350 XT Dentin, Aelite Aesthetic Enamel, and
Aelite All Purpose Body composite resins. [Table 1] presents the characteristics of these composite resins.
Table 1
Characteristics of the composite resins used in this study
Composite name
|
Shade
|
Composite type
|
Composition
|
Manufacturer
|
Abbreviations: Bis-EMA, bisphenol A-polyethylene glycol diether dimethacrylate; Bis-GMA,
bisphenol A-glycerolate dimethacrylate; PEGDMA, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate;
TEGDMA, tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate; UDMA, urethane dimethacrylate.
|
Filtek Z350 XT
|
A2
|
Nano-fill
|
UDMA
Bis-GMA
Bis-EMA
PEGDMA
TEGDMA
Silica
Zirconia
|
3M ESPE,
St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
|
Aelite All Purpose Body
|
A2
|
Microhybrid
|
Bis-EMA
TEGDMA
Glass filler
Amorphous Silica
|
BISCO Schaumburg, Illinois, United States
|
AELITE Aesthetic Enamel
|
A2
|
Reinforced nano-fill
|
Bis-GMA
Bis-EMA
Glass frit
Amorphous Silica
|
BISCO Schaumburg, Illinois, United States
|
Composite discs with 0.5 and 1 mm thicknesses and 10 mm diameter were fabricated of
the above-mentioned composites using a plexiglass mold (n = 2 of each thickness of each composite). The mold was placed over a glass slab and
composite resin was applied and packed into the mold. A slide was placed over it and
compressed. Light curing was performed for 60 seconds using a light curing unit (TPC,
Valo, Ultradent, United States) with a light intensity of 1,000 mW/cm2. The output light energy was checked by a radiometer. The samples were removed from
the molds after polymerization.
The samples then underwent colorimetry, and color parameters were measured by a spectrophotometer(CS-2000;
Konika Minolta) according to the CIE L*a*b* system. The opalescence and fluorescence
were also determined according to the CIE L*a*b* system. To determine the opalescence,
the color of samples in the reflectance mode was measured using a calibration cylinder
and in the transmittance mode in the presence of 100% UV light. To determine the fluorescence,
the color of samples against a white background in the reflectance mode in presence
or absence of 100% UV light was measured. The measurements were repeated twice and
the mean value was calculated and used for statistical analysis. The opalescence was
calculated using the formula below where T and R show transmittance and reflectance,
respectively[4]
[5]
[6]:
Fluorescence, which is defined as color difference (ΔE*ab) in presence and absence
of UV light, was calculated using the formula below:
The 0 and 100 values in this formula indicate presence of 100% UV light and absence
of UV light in a standard CIE device, respectively.[14]
A spectroradiometer (CS-2000; Konika Minolta) was used to measure the reflectance
and transmittance of the samples. To measure transmittance, an incandescent light
source was used by a constant power supply. In front of the power supply, a paper
was folded such that an ideal emission of light was obtained. Next, a black plexiglass
holder fabricated by a laser cutting machine was used to hold the samples. [Fig. 1] illustrates the measurement of transmittance by a spectroradiometer. The transmittance
was read with the angle of device adjusted at 0.2°. Considering 80 cm distance of
the sample from the spectroradiometer, a circle with 2.8 mm diameter at the center
of the sample was measured.
Fig. 1 Measurement of transmittance by a spectroradiometer.
For measurement of reflectance, two incandescent light sources illuminated the sample
with 45°angle. The lamps were lit by a power source and the device was calibrated
using a white tile. Next, the sample was placed in the holder. Since the samples were
semitransparent, an optical trap was placed behind the sample to prevent the reflection
of light that passed through the sample and hit the trap. The reflectance of the sample
was then read. [Fig. 2] illustrates the measurement of reflectance by a spectroradiometer.
Fig. 2 Measurement of reflectance by a spectroradiometer.
Samples of Aelite and Z350 composites in Enamel and Body types were fabricated with
0.5 and 1 mm thickness and their reflectance and transmittance were measured by the
spectroradiometer. Accordingly, their color parameters according to the CIE L*a*b*
system were calculated using CS-10W software under D65/2°.
The opalescence of the samples was calculated using the difference in chromaticity
of the samples in transmittance and reflectance modes.
To measure the fluorescence, maximum excitation wavelength was first determined using
a fluorescence spectrometer (LS55; PerkinElmer). Maximum scattering efficiency of
both Aelite and Z350 was noted at 390 nm wavelength. Thus, LED lamps with 385 nm wavelength
of radiation were obtained. Seven 1 W LED lamps were mounted on a board, connected
in series, and lit using a 21 V, 7 W driver. The light intensity was adjusted by a
potentiometer such that the maximum reflectance of the samples did not exceed 300%
(which was the maximum measurement power of device). Fluorescence was measured in
two modes. First, incandescent lamps with zero UV content were used and the reflectance
of the samples was measured under this light. Second, LED lamps were added to the
incandescent lamps, calibration was performed using a white tile, and reflectance
was measured again.
The fluorescence of 16 samples was measured. The results are presented in [Fig. 3]. As shown, the obtained spectra completely matched the expected spectrum for a fluorescent
sample. Principal component analysis revealed that 99.5% of the cumulative variance
of the peaks was within one vector. In other words, the fluorescence output of the
samples was the same. Thus, for the purpose of comparison of fluorescence of the samples,
the difference in fluorescence output at the peak relative to the reflectance was
determined.
Fig. 3 Reflectance spectra of the samples. Continuous spectra indicate the total radiation
factor, while the dotted spectra indicate reflectance.
Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, United States)
via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), two-way ANOVA, three-way ANOVA, and independent
t-test at p < 0.05 level of significance.
Results
Fluorescence
According to three-way ANOVA, the interaction effect of the type of composite, thickness
of composite, and brand of composite on fluorescence was significant (p = 0.00).
[Table 2] presents the effect of thickness of composite samples on their fluorescence. In
All Purpose Body Aelite, the difference in fluorescence of 0.5 and 1 mm thickness
was significant (p = 0.001) and the fluorescence of 0.5 mm thickness was higher. The difference in fluorescence
of 0.5 and 1 mm thickness of Aelite Aesthetic Enamel was not significant (p = 0.147). The difference in fluorescence of 0.5 and 1 mm thickness of Filtek Z350
XT Body was significant and 0.5 thickness of this composite showed higher fluorescence
(p = 0.018). The difference in fluorescence of 0.5 and 1 mm thickness of Filtek Z350
XT Enamel was also significant and 0.5 thickness of this composite showed higher fluorescence
(p = 0.013).
Table 2
Effect of thickness of composite samples on their fluorescence (n = 2)
Thickness
|
Mean
|
SD
|
SE mean
|
Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; SE, standard error.
|
0.5 mm
|
AELITE
|
Body
|
179.8800
|
0.77782
|
0.55000
|
Enamel
|
188.7500
|
4.69519
|
3.32000
|
Z350
|
Body
|
86.1150
|
0.68589
|
0.48500
|
Enamel
|
55.1000
|
2.40416
|
1.70000
|
1 mm
|
AELITE
|
Body
|
69.1150
|
3.98101
|
2.81500
|
Enamel
|
178.8000
|
3.86080
|
2.73000
|
Z350
|
Body
|
74.4000
|
2.16375
|
1.53000
|
Enamel
|
39.9500
|
0.39598
|
0.28000
|
[Table 3] presents the mean fluorescence of different thicknesses of composites. The results
showed that 0.5 mm thickness of Aelite Body had higher fluorescence than 0.5 mm thickness
of Z350 Body (p = 0.000). However, the difference in this respect between 1 mm thickness of Aelite
Body and Z350 Body was not significant (p = 0.241). The difference in 0.5 mm thickness of Aelite Enamel and Z350 Enamel was
also significant and Aelite showed higher fluorescence (p = 0.001). Also, 1 mm thickness of Aelite Enamel had significantly higher fluorescence
than Z350 Enamel (p = 0.000).
Table 3
Mean and SE of fluorescence of different thicknesses of composites based on the composite
brand
Composite
|
Mean
|
SD
|
SE mean
|
Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; SE, standard error.
|
AELITE
|
Body
|
0.5 mm
|
179.8800
|
0.77782
|
0.55000
|
1 mm
|
69.1150
|
3.98101
|
2.81500
|
Enamel
|
0.5 mm
|
188.7500
|
4.69519
|
3.32000
|
1 mm
|
178.8000
|
3.86080
|
2.73000
|
Z350
|
Body
|
0.5 mm
|
86.1150
|
0.68589
|
0.48500
|
1 mm
|
74.4000
|
2.16375
|
1.53000
|
Enamel
|
0.5 mm
|
55.1000
|
2.40416
|
1.70000
|
1 mm
|
39.9500
|
0.39598
|
0.28000
|
[Table 4] presents the effect of type of composite on fluorescence of 0.5 and 1 mm thicknesses
of the two composites. The difference in fluorescence of 0.5 mm thickness of Aelite
Body and Enamel was not significant (p = 0.119). However, the fluorescence of 0.5 mm thickness of Z350 Body was higher than
that of Z350 Enamel (p = 0.003). The fluorescence of 1 mm thickness of Aelite Enamel was higher than that
of Aelite Dentin (p = 0.001). The fluorescence of 1 mm thickness of Z350 Body was higher than that of
Z350 Enamel (p = 0.002).
Table 4
Effect of type of composite on fluorescence of 0.5 and 1 mm thicknesses of the two
composites
Type
|
Mean
|
SD
|
SE mean
|
Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; SE, standard error.
|
Body
|
0.5 mm
|
AELITE
|
179.8800
|
0.77782
|
0.55000
|
Z350
|
86.1150
|
0.68589
|
0.48500
|
1 mm
|
AELITE
|
69.1150
|
3.98101
|
2.81500
|
Z350
|
74.4000
|
2.16375
|
1.53000
|
Enamel
|
0.5 mm
|
AELITE
|
188.7500
|
4.69519
|
3.32000
|
Z350
|
55.1000
|
2.40416
|
1.70000
|
1 mm
|
AELITE
|
178.8000
|
3.86080
|
2.73000
|
Z350
|
39.9500
|
0.39598
|
0.28000
|
Opalescence
According to three-way ANOVA, the interaction effect of the type of composite, thickness
of composite, and brand of composite on opalescence was significant (p = 0.00).
[Table 5] shows the effect of thickness of composite resins on their opalescence. The opalescence
of 1 mm thickness of Aelite All Purpose Body was significantly higher than that of
0.5 mm thickness (p = 0.013). The opalescence of 1 mm thickness of Aelite Esthetic Enamel was significantly
higher than that of 0.5 mm thickness (p = 0.011). This difference was not significant between 0.5 and 1 mm thicknesses of
Z350 XT Body (p = 0.09) or Z350 XT Enamel (p = 0.06).
Table 5
Effect of thickness of composite resins on their opalescence (n = 2)
Thickness
|
Mean
|
SD
|
SE mean
|
Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; SE, standard error.
|
0.5 mm
|
Body
|
AELITE
|
17.4100
|
0.01414
|
0.01000
|
Z350
|
6.1250
|
0.12021
|
0.08500
|
Enamel
|
AELITE
|
18.8000
|
0.02828
|
0.02000
|
Z350
|
6.4700
|
0.38184
|
0.27000
|
1 mm
|
Body
|
AELITE
|
21.9300
|
0.73539
|
0.52000
|
Z350
|
6.7850
|
0.27577
|
0.19500
|
Enamel
|
AELITE
|
19.4000
|
0.08485
|
0.06000
|
Z350
|
5.3950
|
0.13435
|
0.09500
|
[Table 6] shows the effect of composite brand on opalescence. The opalescence of 0.5 mm thickness
of Aelite Body was higher than that of Z350 Body (p = 0.000). The opalescence of 1 mm thickness of Aelite Body was higher than that of
Z350 Body (p = 0.001). The opalescence of 0.5 mm thickness of Aelite Enamel was higher than that
of Z350 Enamel (p = 0.000). The opalescence of 1 mm thickness of Aelite Enamel was also higher than
that of Z350 Enamel (p = 0.000).
Table 6
Effect of composite brand on opalescence (n = 2)
Composite
|
Mean
|
SD
|
SE mean
|
Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; SE, standard error.
|
AELITE
|
0.5 mm
|
Body
|
17.4100
|
0.01414
|
0.01000
|
Enamel
|
18.8000
|
0.02828
|
0.02000
|
1 mm
|
Body
|
21.9300
|
0.73539
|
0.52000
|
Enamel
|
19.4000
|
0.08485
|
0.06000
|
Z350
|
0.5 mm
|
Body
|
6.1250
|
0.12021
|
0.08500
|
Enamel
|
6.4700
|
0.38184
|
0.27000
|
1 mm
|
Body
|
6.7850
|
0.27577
|
0.19500
|
Enamel
|
5.3950
|
0.13435
|
0.09500
|
[Table 7] shows the effect of type of composite on opalescence. The opalescence of 0.5 mm
thickness of Aelite Enamel was higher than that of Aelite Body (p = 0.000). The opalescence of 0.5 mm thickness of Z350 Enamel and Body was not significantly
different (p = 0.347). The difference in opalescence of 1 mm thickness of Aelite Body and Enamel
was not significant either (p = 0.125). The difference in opalescence of 1 mm thickness of Z350 Body and Enamel
was significant and Z350 Body showed higher opalescence (p = 0.023).
Table 7
Effect of type of composite on opalescence (n = 2)
Type
|
Mean
|
SD
|
SE mean
|
Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; SE, standard error.
|
Body
|
AELITE
|
0.5 mm
|
17.4100
|
0.01414
|
0.01000
|
1 mm
|
21.9300
|
0.73539
|
0.52000
|
Z350
|
0.5 mm
|
6.1250
|
0.12021
|
0.08500
|
1 mm
|
6.7850
|
0.27577
|
0.19500
|
Enamel
|
AELITE
|
0.5 mm
|
18.8000
|
0.02828
|
0.02000
|
1 mm
|
19.4000
|
0.08485
|
0.06000
|
Z350
|
0.5 mm
|
6.4700
|
0.38184
|
0.27000
|
1 mm
|
5.3950
|
0.13435
|
0.09500
|
Discussion
Color parameters such as opalescence of dental composites depend on many factors such
as their resin matrix composition, amount and composition of fillers, pigments, and
other additives.[15]
[16]
[17]
[18] This study assessed and compared the opalescence and fluorescence of two bisphenol
A-glycerolate dimethacrylate-based dental composites. Z350 is a nano-filled composite
containing silica nano-fillers measuring 20 nm in size, zirconia/silica nanoclusters
measuring 0.4 to 0.6 µm in size and 78.5 wt% filler volume.[19]
[20] Aelite All Purpose Body is a methacrylate-based microhybrid composite with glass-filled
amorphous silica fillers measuring 0.4 to 0.7 µm in size and 73 wt% filler volume.
Aelite Aesthetic Enamel is a reinforced nano-fill composite with a mean particle size
of 0.04 µm.[21]
[22]
[23] The results showed higher fluorescence of Aelite brand in all groups (except for
1 mm thickness of Aelite Body which had no significant difference). Comparison of
the effect of type of composite on fluorescence revealed greater fluorescence of 0.5 mm
thickness of Z350 Body compared to Enamel, while the difference between 0.5 mm thickness
of Aelite Body and Enamel was not significant. The fluorescence of 1 mm thickness
of Z350 Body was higher than that of Enamel, while the fluorescence of 1 mm thickness
of Aelite Enamel was higher than that of Aelite Body.
Lee[16] evaluated the effect of size and amount of fillers on transmitted and reflected
colors of composites in 1 mm thickness and found no significant association. In our
study, the fluorescence of 0.5 mm thickness of composites was higher in all groups
(except for Aelite Aesthetic Enamel which showed no significant difference). No previous
study was found in this respect to compare our results with.
Meller and Klein[24] evaluated the fluorescence of 234 composite samples of different brands in Enamel
and Body types. They concluded that the fluorescence of different shades of the same
brand is variable. They reported descriptive results and showed different maximum
intensity of fluorescence, which indicates absence of standard fluorescent properties
among different shades even from the same brand. The same was true regarding Enamel
and Body composites. In some brands, the maximum intensity of fluorescence was higher
in Enamel composite type. Also, shades applied on the surface or subsurface layer
in multi-layering technique showed more intense fluorescence, which is in contrast
to natural teeth in which dentin has a greater fluorescence than Enamel.[24]
In the present study, the difference in fluorescence of 0.5 mm thickness of Aelite
Enamel and Body was not significant, but this difference was significant for 1 mm
thickness. In Aelite Body, increasing the thickness from 0.5 to 1 mm significantly
decreased the fluorescence. This phenomenon is referred to as quenching. Fluorescence
of a fluorescent material reaches its optimal level at a certain concentration. Fluorescence
is due to the interaction of light and fluorescent particles, which are also present
in depth. The fluorosed light is absorbed by the superficial particles. In other words,
after exceeding the optimal threshold, the fluorosed light is absorbed by other particles
and decreases the efficiency of fluorescence (quenching effect). The quenching phenomenon
occurs when the thickness increases.[25] In dental composites tested in our study, the density of fluorescent particles in
1 mm thickness was too low to show the quenching effect. Thus, although thickness
affects the fluorescence, this effect has an ascending trend to some extent and then
descends due to the quenching effect.[25]
Opacity is caused by light scattering in the media. If light does not reach the fluorescent
particles, fluorescence does not occur. The quenching phenomenon was more commonly
seen in Body compared to Enamel type of composite resins in our study. The reduction
in fluorescence as the result of increasing the thickness of Aelite composite was
greater in Body compared to Enamel type of this composite. Clinically, the masking
effect of Body composite type is higher than that of Enamel type. Under constant conditions
in terms of thickness and density of fluorescent particles, the opaquer a material,
the lower the fluorescence would be, because the odds of light reaching the fluorescent
particles would decrease. This statement was confirmed by our findings. Our results
showed that the fluorescence of 0.5 mm thickness of Enamel composite type was higher
than that of Body type. From the clinical point of view, Z350 is more translucent
than Aelite composite. Thus, light can better pass through it and scatter in the media
and proceed. Therefore, the difference observed between different thicknesses of Z350
was not as large as that observed for Aelite. Small difference in masking ability
of Z350 Body and Enamel (compared to Aelite) can explain no change in fluorescence
following changing the thickness of Z350 composite.
In our study, the opalescence of 1 mm thickness of Aelite Body and Enamel was higher
than that of 0.5 mm thickness. This difference was not significant for Z350. This
result was in line with the findings of previous studies. Arimotoa et al[13] evaluated three types of composites and noticed that by an increase in thickness,
the opalescence increased. They added that in thicknesses over 1 mm, opalescence is
affected by translucency and translucency significantly decreases following significant
increase in opalescence.[13]
The opalescence of Aelite composite was higher than that of Z350 in all groups in
our study. Lee et al[5] compared the opalescence of four types of translucent composites and an unfilled
resin. The opalescence of composites was found to be higher, which was in line with
our findings. They also concluded that the opalescence of composites may vary depending
on the brand and shade of composite resins. Yu and Lee[26] compared the opalescence of direct and indirect composites and ceramics and found
that opalescence changes under irradiated light, and in daylight it is less than that
in presence of conventional and fluorescent lamps. Lee[16] showed that addition of nano-TiO2 in 0.25 to 0.1% concentration in 1 mm thickness
of composite increased its opalescence and similarity to tooth structure.
Our study showed that the interaction effect of type and brand of composite on opalescence
was not significant. In Aelite, increasing the thickness increased the opalescence.
Increasing the thickness increases the number of light scattering particles in the
path of light. Thus, opalescence increases, unless the sample is so translucent that
the effect of thickness is neutralized.[27] For instance, Z350 is more translucent than Aelite. Thus, the increase in opalescence
that occurs by an increase in thickness of Aelite was not seen in Z350. Clinical evidence
shows that Aelite has greater opacity than Z350. By an increase in thickness, the
density of light scattering particles increases as well. Thus, greater opalescence
is expected by an increase in thickness. Another important factor in this regard is
the density of the light scattering particles in the media. The manufacturers of composite
resins can increase the density to reach optimal results at a lower thickness.[27] Some certain relationships exist between the particle dimensions and light scattering,
referred to as the Rayleigh scattering of light. When light hits small particles with
a reflectance different from that of their surrounding environment, it is scattered.
The amount of scattered light highly depends on the difference between the refractive
index of particles and their surrounding environment. When the particles and their
surrounding environment have similar refractive index, light is not scattered at all
and the border between the two is not seen. Light scattering also depends on the size
of particles. Small particles scatter small amount of light. Increasing the size of
particles increases light scattering until it reaches the light wavelength and then
decreases for larger particles.[27] Therefore, when pigments have a different refractive index from that of resin, and
when their diameter is almost equal to the wavelength of light, they are as efficient
as those scattering light. When pigments are too small and have a refractive index
similar to that of resin, they scatter a small amount of light and appear translucent.
Thus, light scattering can be adjusted by selecting pigments of desired size with
a certain refractive index. However, by coating small pigments with iron oxide, translucency
can be achieved by minimizing the difference in the refractive index of pigments and
resin. Light can be scattered by controlling the size of organic pigments instead
of paying attention to the difference in refractive indexes. Considering the size
of pigments, small changes can affect light scattering and color. Knowledge about
the scattering and absorption properties of pigments and their functional wavelength
enables more accurate estimation of the final color.[27] The composite manufacturers can work on the size of particles to achieve the desired
opalescence.
In our study, the opalescence of Aelite was higher than that of Z350 because Z350
is more translucent and has a smaller share of light scattering particles. Significant
difference between Z350 and Aelite can be due to the nano-behavior of Z350 and presence
of tiny translucent particles in its composition. The opalescence value of Enamel
and dentin has been reported to be 22.9.[12] Thus, the current findings suggest that the opalescence of Aelite is closer to that
of Enamel and dentin. The difference in opalescence of the two composites tested in
our study seems to be attributed to the difference in their composition and size of
fillers.[12]
Future studies with larger sample size are required to assess the fluorescence and
opalescence of other brands of composite resins. Also, the relationship of opacity
and fluorescence should be quantified in the future studies. Last but not least, color
change can be used as the fluorescence factor and the results can be interpreted by
taking into account the color change parameter.
Conclusion
Within the limitations of this study, the results showed that thickness, type, and
brand of composite resins affect their fluorescence and opalescence.