Comparative effects of conventional and electronic cigarettes on discoloration and surface roughness of gingiva-colored dental materials.

Purpose: To evaluate the color changes and surface roughness of two different gingiva-colored prosthetic materials after exposure to conventional and electronic cigarettes.

Materials and methods: A total of 60 disk shaped gingiva-colored porcelain (GC Initial MC Gum, GC Europe NV, Leuven, Belgium) and indirect composite resin (Gradia Plus Gum Shades Heavy Body, GC Europe NV, Leuven, Belgium) specimens, each measuring 2 × 10 mm, were prepared. The porcelain and indirect composite resin samples were divided into two subgroups (n = 30). The initial color and roughness values of the samples were measured. A special setup was created to simulate cigarette smoking, where the samples were placed inside and exposed to two different types of cigarette smoke. After exposure, the final color and roughness values of the samples were measured again.

Results: After conventional cigarette exposure, porcelain specimens showed color changes of ΔE*ab = 7.404, ΔE00 = 7.502, and indirect composite resin specimens ΔE*_ab = 9.708, ΔE₀₀ = 19.501, with significant surface roughness increases in both materials (p < 0.05). After electronic cigarette exposure, porcelain specimens had color changes of ΔE*ab = 1.390, ΔE00 = 1.317, and indirect composite resin samples ΔE*ab = 2.523, ΔE00 = 2.454. Surface roughness decreased significantly for porcelain (p < 0.05) but increased for composite resin which was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Conventional cigarette exposure resulted in more significant color changes and surface roughness increases in gingiva-colored materials compared to electronic cigarettes. Indirect composite resins demonstrated lower color stability than porcelains. Patients with gingiva-colored porcelain and composite resin restorations should be informed about color and surface roughness changes due to smoking.