Gloss and Stain Resistance of Ceramic-Polymer CAD/CAM Restorative Blocks.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the gloss and stain resistance of several new ceramic-polymer CAD/CAM blocks MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens (4 mm) were sectioned from: Enamic (polymer-infused ceramic), LAVA Ultimate (nano-ceramic reinforced polymer), e.max (lithium disilicate), Paradigm C (porcelain), and Paradigm MZ100 (composite). Specimens were wet polished on a polishing wheel to either 320 grit silicon paper (un-polished, N = 8) or 2000 grit silicon carbide papers followed by a 0.05 mum alumina slurry (polished, N = 8). Initial gloss and color (L*a*b*) values were measured. Specimens were stored in a staining solution at 37 degrees C in darkness for 12 days (simulating 1 year). After storage, L*a*b* values re-measured. Change in color was reported as DeltaE00 based on the CIEDE2000 formula. Gloss and DeltaE00 were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (alpha = .05). Separate one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc analyses were performed for both polish conditions and all materials. RESULTS: Two-way ANOVA showed that factors material, polish and their interaction were significant for both gloss and DeltaE00 (p < .01). Post-hoc analysis reveals that polished specimens had significantly less color change than un-polished specimens for Paradigm C and LAVA Ultimate. E.max had significantly higher gloss and less color change than all other materials. CONCLUSION: The composition and polish of CAD/CAM materials affects gloss and stain resistance. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Ceramic-polymer hybrid materials can achieve the high gloss required for esthetic restorations. These materials should be polished in order to minimize staining. If polished, all of the tested materials exhibited clinically acceptable color changes at 1 year of simulated staining. (J Esthet Restor Dent 28:S40-S45, 2016).