Abstract:

Objective This study aims to assess the effects of the different thicknesses of body-shade resin layers on the color of polyetheretherketone (PEEK)-Crea.lign restorations. Methods Five PEEK specimens with the thickness of 0.6 mm were prepared. The color values of PEEK specimens were measured. Afterward, opaque-shade resin layers (0.1 mm) and body-shade resin layers (1.5 mm) were stacked with mold. The five specimens were evenly ground to a thickness of 1.4, 1.2, 1.0, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, and 0.0 mm in sequence. After grinding and ultrasonic cleaning, the color value was measured. Results With the constant thickness of PEEK and 0.1 mm thickness of opaque-shade resin layer, the L*, a*, and b* values all showed downward trend with the increased thickness of the body-shade resin layer (1.0-1.4 mm). With the constant thickness of PEEK and 0.1 mm thickness of opaque-shade resin layer, the color difference between the adjacent groups was less than 1.5 NBS. This difference between nonadjacent groups was more than 1.5 NBS when the thickness of the body-shade resin layer reached 0.6 mm. Color difference between PEEK-Crea.lign restoration and PEEK was more than 1.5 NBS. Conclusion The thick-ness change in the body-shade resin layers influence the color of the PEEK-Crea.lign restorations. Using A₂ shade Crea.lign, opaque-shade resin layer thickness is 0.1 and 0.6 mm thickness of body-shade resin layer can produce color which clinically acceptable.

Key words: polyetheretherketone, Crea.lign, thickness, color