Evaluation of the Colour Stability and Surface Roughness of Polymethylmethacrylate and Indirect Composites With and Without Ageing: An In-Vitro Study

Background: Indirect restorations are a staple restorative option in dentistry due to their versatility, exceptional aesthetics, and desirable strength and longevity. Metal ceramics and all ceramics are the material of choice for permanent restorations but come with certain disadvantages, such as chipping, fracture, and wear of the antagonist tooth or restoration. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and indirect composite resins are commonly used materials due to their favourable properties for temporary restorations, but lately, they have been chosen as the restorative material of choice for implant-supported full-mouth rehabilitations. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the colour stability and surface roughness of PMMA and indirect composite resins under both ageing and non-ageing conditions. This would greatly help a clinician in choosing materials depending on the clinical scenarios.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the colour stability and surface roughness of PMMA and indirect composite resins with and without ageing.

Methods: Specimens of PMMA and indirect composite resins were fabricated and subjected to an ageing process involving thermocycling in the TW-C4.4 (Tae-Won Tech, Incheon, Korea) and immersion in a staining solution. Colour stability was assessed using a spectrophotometer (SpectraMagic NX, RM2002QC, Konica Minolta Corp., Ramsey, Japan), and surface roughness was measured using a stylus profilometer (Mituyoto, Mituyoto Corporation, Kawasaki, Japan). Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 24 (Released 2016; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York) to determine significant differences between materials and ageing effects.

Results: PMMA exhibited significantly higher colour changes and increased surface roughness post-ageing compared to indirect composite resins. The findings underscored PMMA's susceptibility to discolouration and surface degradation under thermal stress conditions.

Conclusion: PMMA demonstrates inferior colour stability and increased surface roughness following thermocycling compared to indirect composite materials, suggesting careful consideration in material selection for provisional restorations. Further research should explore additional ageing processes and materials to enhance understanding and improve clinical outcomes.