INFLUENCE OF ACID-ETCHED SPLINTING METHODS ON DISCOLORATION OF DENTALENAMEL IN 4 MEDIA - AN IN-VITRO STUDY

The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the staining of enamel in relation to fixation of luxated teeth. Color changes induced by chlor hexidine, red wine, tea, and coffee were detected with a Minolta Chrom a Meter (CR-121) after extracted teeth were treated to simulate constr uction of dental splinting. La*b* color readings were made before and after 7 days of incubation in the above-mentioned media in teeth trea ted 1) by acid-etching, 2) by acid-etching followed by resin, 3) by re sin and composite, 4) by Triad Gel, and 5) by Protemp. L is an indica tor of black (0) and white (100). The a values relate to the red (+10 0)-green (-100) color axes, and the b values to the yellow (+100) and blue (-100) axes. Untreated teeth served as controls. One-way analysi s of variance of mean L values revealed no statistically significant differences in treatment. Discoloration was observed in all teeth, inc luding the control ones. However, Protemp yielded the largest changes in mean L values. Analysis of variance of mean L* values revealed sta tistically significant differences between incubation liquids because no increase in staining of enamel was noted after 7 days' incubation i n chlorhexidine. Red wine increased the mean L values more than coffe e or tea. Changes in ab* readings were toward red (+a*) after incubat ion in red wine, except in the case of teeth treated with resin. The c olor of all such teeth changed more toward yellow (+b), because the r esin used was yellow. No statistically significant difference was note d between the three pastes used for polishing. None of the pastes rest ored the enamel to the same color as before incubation.