Influence of modeling liquids and universal adhesives used as lubricants on color stability and translucency of resin-based composites

The use of lubricants during restorative procedures is a clinically common practice to alleviate the stickiness of resin-based composite (RBCs) materials and to improve its handling. This study evaluated the effects of three modeling liquids (ML) and one universal adhesive (UA) used as lubricants during composite layering on the color stability and translucency of RBCs. Methods. The following materials were applied between every 1 mm RBC layer (total restoration height of 4 mm): GC modeling liquid (GCML, GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), composite wetting resin (UPWR, Ultradent Products, South Jordan, UT, USA), Bisco modeling resin (BSMR, Bisco Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA) as an ML and Clearfil Universal Bond Quick (KUBQ, Kuraray Noritake Dental, Tokyo, Japan) as a UA. Lubricant-free specimens were used as the control. Color coordinates (L*, a* and b*) were recorded at baseline and after a simulation of 1 month of coffee consumption. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and a post hoc Tukey test (p < 0.05). Results. All lubricants induced a color change higher than the perceptibility threshold (ΔE00 > 0.81). GCML showed the highest color stability. The use of KUBQ resulted in significantly higher a* values (p = 0.001) at baseline and after staining. KUBQ and UPWR significantly influenced the color stability (ΔE00, p = 0.0001) after staining, overcoming the clinical acceptability threshold (ΔE00 > 1.77). Conclusions. The use of lubricants may affect color stability at baseline and after simulation of staining. Translucency was not affected at baseline nor after staining. Clinical Significance. Clinicians should be aware that some lubricants may affect color stability, even at baseline.