Color Stability of Dental Composites Under Accelerated Aging in Staining Solutions

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of three commonly consumed beverages coffee, tea, and cola on the color stability of two commercially available resin composites, Geanial Anterior and Edge Com. Disk-shaped specimens (n=20) from each composite were prepared and subjected to staining by immersion in coffee, tea, cola, or distilled water (control). The specimens underwent thermocycling (10,000 cycles between 5°C and 55°C) to simulate one year of clinical aging. Color assessments were performed using a spectrophotometer, and color differences were calculated using both the CIE76 (∆E*) and CIEDE2000 (∆E₀₀) formulas. Analysis revealed that both composites experienced color changes after immersion in the staining solutions, with coffee causing the most significant discoloration, followed by tea, while cola had minimal effects. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two composites regarding their susceptibility to staining, but the staining agents themselves had a significant effect on color stability (p<0.001). The results indicate that both coffee and tea cause noticeable discoloration in resin composites, with coffee being the most potent staining agent. These findings suggest that clinicians should consider the effects of patient dietary habits when selecting composite materials and educating patients on beverage consumption to maintain the aesthetic quality of restorations.