INFLUENCE OF ACID-ETCHED SPLINTING METHODS ON DISCOLORATION OF DENTAL ENAMEL 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 chlorhexidine, red wine, tea, and coffee were detected with a Minolta Chroma Meter (CR-121) after extracted teeth were treated to simulate construction of dental splinting. L*a*b* color readings were made before and after 7 days of incubation in the above-mentioned media in teeth treated 1) by acid-etching, 2) by acid-etching followed by resin, 3) by resin and composite, 4) by Triad Gel, and 5) by Protemp. L* is an indicator of black (0) and white (100). The a* values relate to the red (+100)-green (-100) color axes, and the b* values to the yellow (+100) and blue (-100) axes. Untreated teeth served as controls. One-way analysis of variance of mean L* values revealed no statistically significant differences in treatment. Discoloration was observed in all teeth, including the control ones. However, Protemp yielded the largest changes in mean L* values. Analysis of variance of mean L* values revealed statistically significant differences between incubation liquids because no increase in staining of enamel was noted after 7 days' incubation in chlorhexidine. Red wine increased the mean L* values more than coffee or tea. Changes in a*b* readings were toward red (+a*) after incubation in red wine, except in the case of teeth treated with resin. The color of all such teeth changed more toward yellow (+b*), because the resin used was yellow. No statistically significant difference was noted between the three pastes used for polishing. None of the pastes restored the enamel to the same color as before incubation.