Opacity and Color Changes of Light-Cured Ideal Makoo (IDM)

Statement of Problem: Esthetic materials undergo some physical and mechanical changes, during their service in oral cavity. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the color and opacity stability of Ideal Makoo (IDM) composites and compare it with Tetric ceram. Fifteen disk shaped samples of each material was divided into three groups of five. Different aging treatments were applied to each group. The contrast ratio of 1mm thickness and E of the samples were evaluated at base line and after aging, using CIE system and Data Flash spectrophotometer. All the samples were kept at 37C. Baseline opacity of IDM was relatively high (77.60%8.6). Both materials showed increased opacity after aging. The highest E belonged to IDM samples of B group, which was significantly more than Tetric Ceram (P<0.05). Tetric Ceram, also showed some degree of color change (E=4.60 and 5.79, on black and white background, respectively), which is noticeable clinically. The research showed that IDM can not be a reliable esthetic material, unless some improvements in the chemical composition will be achieved.