Bioactive Cement versus Resin Cement Regarding the Perceived Shade of E-Max Restorations : (An In Vitro Study)

Abstract

Esthetics is becoming the main concern for patients and professionals. Demands for creating a natural appearing smile has increased as it reflects youth and acceptance. The goal of esthetic dentistry is to restore teeth to meet the natural form, biocompatibility and appearance. To create a dental restoration that gives a natural looking requires accurate replication of size, shape, surface texture, contouring, translucency and color of natural dentition.

Shade is an essential parameter that attracts attention of patients, they judge and accept their dental restorations based on shade matching especially in the anterior esthetic zone. For dental restoration with acceptable shade, translucency and fluorescence it should match that of natural dentition to mimic the vitality.

In the past decades, porcelain fused to metal fixed prosthesis was the material predominantly used to restore teeth. But, unfortunately the metal layering acts as a barrier for light transmission giving the restoration dark opaque appearance.

The introduction of metal free restorations all-ceramic restorations, have proved to be an excellent alternative for porcelain fused to metal. These restorations utilize more conservative preparation because of the continuous improvements in their mechanical, physical properties and processing methods. Introduction

Ceramic type, thickness, shade, firing temperature and bonding affects the final appearance of restoration. Lithium disilicate was launched in 1998 by Ivoclar Vivadent; it is one of the most famous glass- ceramics. It has adequate mechanical properties and offers attractive esthetic quality.

One of the most important factors that affect the color of dental restorations is the cement used. Type, thickness, curing method and shade affects the perceived shade of the restoration and it’s stability over time. Resin cements are widely used for cementation of lithium disilicate as it bonds chemically to underlying glass- ceramic increasing strength and longevity of dental restoration. Furthermore, it has a clinically accepted color effect and stability.

Newly introduced bioactive dental cement with ionic resin matrix is claimed to mimic the physical and chemical properties of natural teeth. In addition, it releases and recharge of calcium, phosphate and fluoride. It would be challenging to investigate the shade of lithium disilicate samples cemented with bioactive cement and comparing it with samples cemented with resin cement.