Evaluation of Color Stability of a Composite Resin Using Different Instrument Lubricants After One Month of Water Storage

Clinicians use several lubricants to reduce composite sticking to instruments and facilitate composite modeling. This study evaluated the effect of instrument lubricants on the color stability of a resin composite after one month of water storage. 60 disc-shaped specimens (2×10 mm) of Tetric N-Ceram composite were prepared using four lubricants, isopropyl alcohol 70%, Adper single bond adhesive (SB), margin bond (MB) and composite wetting resin (CW) (12 samples for each group). No lubricant was used in the control group. Color measurement was done twice, 24 hours after sample preparation and after one month of water storage. Color differences were calculated, and the data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests. The use of single bond as instrument lubricant caused the most color change (ΔE=4.26), and the control group (no lubricant) showed the least color change (ΔE=1.77). Using composite wetting resin as an instrument lubricant resulted in lower color changes than other instrument lubricants (P<0.05).  Composite Wetting Resin used as instrument lubricant had better color stability than other lubricants. Bonding agents are not recommended for composite restorations as instrument lubricants due to the higher risk of affecting color stability. Clinicians should be aware that using instrument lubricants might influence the color properties of dental composites.