The metameric effect of monolithic zirconias with varying yttrium ratios.

Purpose: To evaluate the metameric disparities among monolithic zirconia materials with differing yttrium compositions across various lighting conditions.

Materials and methods: Thirty-six square-shaped zirconia samples measuring 10 × 10 × 0.5 mm were prepared from monolithic zirconia materials with three different yttrium contents. A 0.2 mm thick layer of polymerized dual-polymerizable self-adhesive resin cement was created using a silicone mold with the same dimensions as the prepared zirconia specimens. To evaluate metamerism, color measurements were conducted using a spectrophotometer device on a neutral gray background in a color measurement cabinet that offers four different illumination environments. All samples underwent aging by subjecting them to 10000 thermal cycles using a thermal cycle tester. Following thermal aging, color measurements were taken once more, and the data were recorded using the CIE L^*, a^*, b^* color system. Two-way ANOVA and Post-hoc Bonferroni tests were employed to analyze the data.

Results: It was observed that there was no statistical difference among the color measurements made in different illumination environments of the monolithic zirconia ceramics used to evaluate metamerism (P > .05). This observation remained consistent both before and after thermal aging. After thermal aging, the color of monolithic zirconia materials exhibited a tendency towards red and yellow hues, accompanied by a decrease in brightness levels.

Conclusion: It can be stated that different illumination conditions did not affect the metamerism of monolithic zirconia materials, but there was a color change in monolithic zirconia materials after a thermal aging period equivalent to one year.