Comparison of Various Resin Composite Shades and Layering Technique with a Shade Guide JULIANA DA COSTA, DDS, MS* PAUL FOX, DMD † JACK FERRACANE, PhD ‡ ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the final shade of different shades of com- posites (enamel shades) over a white backing (WB) and black backing (BB), and a layering technique (enamel over dentin composite) with the corresponding Vita Classical Shade tabs (VST). Materials and Methods: Composite disk specimens enamel (N = 5) shades B1, B2, A1, and A2, and dentin (N = 1) shades A1, A2, and A3 were made. The color of the VST B1, B2, A1, and A2, enamel shade disks, and layering composites of the same brand and different brands were assessed using a colorimeter over a WB and BB. The total color difference (DE*ab = [(DL*) 2 + (Da*ab) 2 + (Db*ab) 2 ] 1/2 ) between the VST and the corresponding resin composite was calculated. The results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance/Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). Results: Overall, the L*, a*, and b* values of the enamel composite shades were significantly different from the corresponding VST. Only a few layered composites matched the L*, a*, and b* of the keyed VST. Out of the 72 combinations, 20 (28%) resulted in DE*ab below the 3.3 clinically perceptible limit. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Composite shades do not match well to the Vita shade guide tabs, even when the layering tech- nique is used. As demonstrated in this study, only a few composites matched the corresponding Vita shade guide tabs. (J Esthet Restor Dent 22:114–126, 2010) INTRODUCTION O f today’s restorative material options, resin composites have become widely used because of exceptional esthetics, conserva- tive tooth preparations, and acceptable longevity for the treat- ment of anterior teeth. The objec- tive of any esthetic restoration is to create a natural look that is pleas- ing to the patient while remaining functional. In order to achieve such an esthetic result, it is therefore the intention of the practitioner to *Assistant Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Division of Operative Dentistry, OHSU School of Dentistry, 611 S.W. Campus Drive, Portland, OR 97239, USA † Orthodontics Resident, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Paley Building, 2nd Floor, 5501 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141, USA ‡ Professor and Chair, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Division of Biomaterials and Biomechanics, OHSU School of Dentistry, 611 S.W. Campus Drive, Portland, OR 97239, USA © 2010, COPYRIGHT THE AUTHORS JOURNAL COMPILATION © 2010, WILEY PERIODICALS, INC. DOI 10.1111/j.1708-8240.2010.00322.x VOLUME 22, NUMBER 2, 2010 114