Pseudo-Discoloration of Plastic Fillings

Abstract

The purpose of the present work was to demonstrate whether marginal discoloration of plastic fillings may cause an apparent discoloration of the whole filling. The synthetic resins used in the investigation were Addent XV and Sevriton Simplified. Cavities were cut in teflon and plexiglas. Marginal discoloration was produced either by painting the unfilled cavities with a colored varnish or by intermittent vacuum-treatment in Indian ink of hardened, polished fillings. Fillings discolored only at the margin showed a marked apparent discoloration of the whole filling. On removal from their respective cavities, these fillings reverted to a color indistinguishable from that of the control fillings.

Marginal discoloration can occur only where there are marginal gaps. Good adaptation between filling material and tooth is thus of great importance for the esthetic properties of the estoration.

Key Words:

• Dental materials
• Dental restoration
• permanent
• Tooth discoloration
• Polymers