A Novel Method to Distinguish Old Composite from Enamel: Spectrophotometric Validation

Abstract

Aim: To identify a dye for disclosing composite resin restoration margins using Results: The results of spectrophotometric analysis of enamel and composite staining showed that Methylene blue caused maximum composite staining (p<0.05). Erythrosine also showed a significant change in shade of composite, greater than enamel due to hydrophobic interaction between the resin and dye (p<0.05). The two hydrophobic food stains Coffee and Carmoisine showed no significant change in colour of composite and could not distinguish the boundary between composite resin and tooth enamel (p>0.05). Conclusion: The exposure of specimens to colored solutions resulted in significant colour alteration. Composite resin is more stainable by hydrophobic dyes compared to tooth enamel.