The effect of different colors of polyetheretherketone fiber casted post on the shade of lithium disilicate crowns

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of different colors of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) posts on the shade of lithium disilicate ceramic crown using spectrophotometric analysis. Patients and methods Thirty recently extracted human maxillary central incisors were included in this study. The root canals were endodontically treated and obturated, then the gutta percha was mechanically removed to provide post space. A duralay impression of the canals was taken. The samples was divided into three groups: group 1 (casted Ni-Cr post and core), group 2 (casted white PEEK post and core), and group 3 (casted ivory PEKK post and core). Lithium disilicate crowns with 1 mm thickness were fabricated over three groups of post and core. The color of the Emax crown was examined with the spectrophotometer to determine the effect of dowel color on the Emax crowns. Results The results of this study showed that among posts and cores at the standard crown thickness used, a dark gray-colored Ni-Cr post and core represented the greatest ∆E values compared to the other variables followed by white colored PEEK post and core then ivory colored PEKK post and core but still these values has no significant difference statistically. Conclusion PEEK and PEKK post and core with lithium disilicate crowns have no significant difference statistically when compared to Ni-Cr post and core with lithium disilicate crowns.