Evaluating the Effects of Different Polishing Methods on Color Stability of Dental Restorations in Pediatric Dentistry

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of various polishing methods on the color stability of compomer and composite resin restorations used in anterior restorations within pediatric dentistry. One hundred and twenty disc-shaped specimens (8 mm diameter x 4 mm thickness) were prepared from A2 shade compomer and nanohybrid composite resin to assess color stability in four different polishing systems. Sixty specimens from each material were randomly distributed into five groups (n = 12) according to the polishing method used. Group 1: four-step aluminum oxide discs, Group 2: aluminum oxide discs and rubber kit, Group 3: aluminum oxide discs and felt discs, Group 4: aluminum oxide discs and spiral wheels, and Group 5: no polishing. The specimens were immersed in cherry juice solution for 7 days. The color changes (ΔE) for all materials were assessed using a spectrophotometer at baseline and after 7 days of staining. The collected data were analyzed with the Shapiro-Wilk test, along with the Mann-Whitney U test for comparing two independent groups and the Kruskal-Wallis test for comparing three or more independent groups. Post hoc Bonferroni Corrections were applied to identify the groups causing the differences. As a result of the analyses, statistically significant differences were determined between the staining measurements of the compomer and composite materials across the groups (p < 0.05). The highest level of discoloration for the compomer was in the control group. In conclusion, the selected polishing method influences the degree of discoloration in the compomer groups. In the composite group, polishing methods showed variable effects. Differences were found between the compomer and composite groups. Understanding these effects is crucial for maintaining the esthetic longevity of restorations in young patients.