Impact of Common Pediatric Medications on Color Stability of Esthetic Restorative Materials: An In Vitro Study

Aim: To evaluate the effect of commonly prescribed pediatric medications on the color stability of two esthetic restorative materials, glass ionomer cement (GIC) and composite resin, using an in vitro model incorporating thermocycling. Materials and Methods: The total of 160 specimens (GIC and composite resin) were prepared and immersed in various pediatric medications, including analgesics, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, bronchodilators, cough suppressants, multivitamins, and a control solution. All specimens were subjected to thermocycling. Color changes (ΔE values) were measured using a spectrophotometer before and after exposure. Results: Significant color changes were observed in both materials, particularly in the multivitamins and the cough suppressant. GIC generally exhibited higher ΔE values than composite resin. After thermocycling, the composite resin exhibited a slight increase in discoloration, whereas the GIC values largely remained stable. Overall, the composite resin maintained superior color stability. Conclusion: Pediatric medication can compromise the color stability of esthetic restorative materials. GIC were more susceptible to staining, although thermocycling had a minimal impact on discoloration. The composite resin exhibited better performance both before and after thermocycling, underscoring its clinical utility in esthetic pediatric dentistry. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting restorative materials based on both chemical and thermal resistances.