Microhardness, Color Stability and Microstructural Analysis of Prefabricated Composite Resin Veneers.

The aim of the work was to determine Knoop microhardness (KH), color stability (ΔE00) and microstructure of prefabricated composite resin veneers (PCRVs). Two PCRVs systems (Componeer Brilliant New Generation, Coltene, Altstätten, Switzerland; and Direct Veneer, Edelweiss, Wolfurt, Austria) were tested. KH was measured at the buccal surface of the PCRVs. Color analyze was evaluated by a spectrophotometer and ΔE00 calculated using CIEDE2000 formula. Microstructure of the PCRVs was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data of KH and ΔE00 were subjected to One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey post hoc test (a=0.05). Componeer (KH = 46) and Edelweiss (KH = 43) presented statistical similar hardness results (p>0.05). Componeer (ΔE00water= 0.1 and ΔE00coffee= 13.4) showed lower ΔE00 than Edelweiss (ΔE00water= 0.5 and ΔE00coffee= 18.7). SEM-images indicated similar microstructures of the PCRVs tested. Although PCRVs present similar microhardness and microstructure, Componeer showed higher color stability and lower extrinsic pigmentation to coffee in comparison to Edelweiss. Direct composite resin veneer treatment might be simplified with PCRVs. However, the high pigmentation observed in the PCRVs could generate aesthetic failures over the time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]