Comparative study of Color stability, translucency, and surface roughness of advanced, conventional lithium disilicate and hybrid CAD/CAM ceramics. An in vitro study

Abstract

Aim: Compared the color stability, translucency, and surface roughness of CEREC Tessera, IPS e.max CAD, and VITA Enamic CAD/CAM ceramics before and after thermocycling. Materials and Methods: A total of 72 ceramic samples were divided into three groups (n=24 each): Advanced lithium disilicate (CEREC Tessera), lithium disilicate (IPS e.max CAD), and hybrid ceramic (VITA Enamic). Each group was further subdivided by test type: color change (n=6), translucency (n=6), and surface roughness (n=12). Color and translucency were measured before and after thermocycling using a spectrophotometer and expressed as ΔE and TP values. Surface roughness samples were split into two classes: before (Class I) and after (Class II) thermocycling. Artificial aging was simulated by 5,000 thermocycles between 5°C and 55°C. Surface roughness (Ra) was measured using a contact profilometer. Results: IPS e.max CAD showed the highest color stability (ΔE = 2.45), falling well within the ideal esthetic range. Tessera (ΔE = 3.59) and Enamic (ΔE = 3.02) remained within the clinically acceptable limit of (3.7). E.max also exhibited the highest translucency (TP = 16.53) and the lowest surface roughness (Ra < 0.2 µm), while Enamic recorded the lowest translucency (TP = 11.70) and the highest surface roughness (Ra = 0.40 µm). Conclusion: IPS e.max CAD showed superior optical and surface properties, making it more suitable for long-term esthetic restorations. Tessera had moderate performance; VITA Enamic showed the least favorable results.