Thermochromism of restorative composite resins.

The aim of this study was to clarify the temperature dependence of color, i.e. the thermochromism of restorative composite resins at typical intraoral temperatures. Five brands of restorative composite resins were used. The CIE L*a*b* color values were measured using a spectrophotometer at specimen temperatures of 4, 23, 37, 60, and 80ºC. The temperature dependence of the refractive index of the materials at 4-80ºC were also determined using a refractometer. The values of L* for all materials decreased, and those of a* and b* for most of the materials increased, with increasing temperature. The color difference (ΔE*) for all materials increased with increasing specimen temperatures. The refractive index of the A4 shade of the materials consistently decreased with increasing temperatures. Most of the materials exhibited perceptible thermochromism related to intraoral thermal conditions. Optical properties that change in response to temperature could help explain the thermochromism of materials.