Color Stability of Various Plastic and Ceramic Brackets: An In Vitro Study

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate color stability of various plastic and ceramic brackets after immersing in food solutions. Methods: Three plastic brackets and six ceramic brackets brands (three polycrystalline and three monocrystalline brackets) were selected. Ten brackets per brand were immersed in three dye solutions (red wine, coffee and curry). After immersing for one day, three days and seven days, color changes of the brackets were measured using a spectrophotometer (SpectrolinoTM). Color change, ΔE* was calculated based on the CIE L*, a* and b* system. Results: Plastic brackets, especially Silkon MTM showed the biggest color change in red wine, coffee and curry. 20/40TM bracket showed similar color change with plastic brackets despite that it is a polycrystalline bracket. Other polycrystalline brackets, ClarityTM advanced and VitrineTM, showed smaller color change than plastic but bigger than monocrystalline brackets. Monocrystalline brackets, RadianceTM and Inspire ICETM showed the smallest color change in all three solutions. Conclusions: Significant color change of esthetic brackets can occur based on the bracket composition, dye solution type and immersion time.