Evaluating the Effect of Chitosan Addition on the Color Properties of Conventional Glass Ionomer Cements

ABSTRACT The addition of bioactive materials like chitosan to conventional glass ionomer cements (GICs) has gained attention for its potential to enhance the mechanical and antibacterial properties of dental restorative materials. However, modifications to GICs may lead to unintended aesthetic changes, such as alterations in color. This study investigates the impact of incorporating chitosan into three types of conventional GICs on their color properties. Using the CIELAB color space and a spectrophotometer, the color changes (Δ E ) resulting from chitosan addition were measured, with a specific focus on Δ E values around “3” a threshold noticeable to the human eye.