Color Stability of Tooth-Colored Restorative Materials After Exposure to Arabic Coffee and Black Tea: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The aesthetic longevity of tooth-colored restorative materials, such as composite resins and glass ionomer cements (GICs), is a significant concern in dentistry, particularly due to their susceptibility to discoloration from dietary substances. This systematic review aims to evaluate the color stability of these materials after exposure to two commonly consumed beverages in Saudi Arabia: Arabic coffee and black tea. The review focuses on the degree of color change (ΔE) and identifies the materials most resistant to staining. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using keywords related to color stability, tooth-colored restorative materials, and staining agents. After screening 178 articles, eight studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The findings revealed that composite resins, particularly nanohybrid composites, were the most prone to discoloration, with ΔE values ranging from 3.5 to 9.2 for Arabic coffee and 3.0 to 8.7 for black tea. In contrast, GICs and resin-modified glass ionomers (RMGICs) demonstrated better color stability, with ΔE values ranging from 2.1 to 5.5. The hydrophilic nature and fluoride-releasing properties of GICs likely contributed to their resistance to staining. These results have clinical implications, suggesting that GICs and RMGICs may be better suited for patients with high consumption of staining beverages. Further research, particularly in vivo studies, is recommended to confirm these findings and explore additional factors that may influence the color stability of restorative materials in the oral environment.