Researchers at IBS Granada have identified the most effective material for masking darkened teeth in aesthetic restorations.
An international study led by IBS.GRANADA and the University of Granada reveals the most effective material for achieving dental restorations with optimal aesthetic results in darkened teeth.
A research team from the Granada Biosanitary Research Institute (ibs.GRANADA) and the University of Granada, in collaboration with the São Paulo State University (Brazil), has identified the most effective dental material for concealing the color of darkened teeth in aesthetic restorations.
The study, published in the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, analyzes the ability of different CAD-CAM (computer-aided design and manufacturing) materials to mask the color of teeth with varying levels of discoloration, a key factor in achieving aesthetically pleasing results in restorative dentistry.
VITA Mark II, the material with the best masking capacity
The research team compared four latest-generation dental materials, made in small discs of different thicknesses (from 0,5 to 1,5 millimeters), which were placed on backgrounds that simulated different shades of teeth.
To analyze their behavior, the researchers used spectrophotometry, a very precise optical technique that allows measuring how light is reflected and transmitted through materials. Thanks to these measurements, they were able to evaluate color differences, degree of translucency and the call “infinite optical thickness”, which indicates at what thickness a material stops being transparent and completely hides the color of the tooth underneath.
The results were clear: VITA Mark II, a type of feldspathic porcelain, was the material that better concealed the color of the darkened tooth in all thicknesses tested, offering the most uniform and natural results.
The study also found that The thicker the restoration, the better it camouflages the original color of the tooth.However, none of the materials achieved complete opacity at a thickness of 1,5 mm, suggesting that in more severe cases, a slight increase in thickness may be necessary to achieve an optimal aesthetic result.
A practical guide for the dental clinic
María del Mar Pérez Gómez, researcher in charge of the group TEC09-Optics of Biomaterials and Tissues, professor at the University of Granada and principal investigator of this study, states that “Our findings provide a practical guide for clinicians: in cases of very darkened teeth, it is recommended to use less translucent materials, such as VITA Mark II, and consider thicknesses greater than 1,5 mm to achieve a predictable aesthetic result.”
However, in more favorable clinical situations, the use of more translucent materials may be advantageous in taking advantage of the natural color of the underlying tooth structure and achieving more natural and harmonious restorations.
Clinical application and projection of the study
The work offers essential information for dentists, prosthetists and CAD-CAM material manufacturers, as it helps optimize the choice of material and the design of restorations according to the clinical conditions of each patient.
Furthermore, these results open the door to new lines of research aimed at the development of more advanced and efficient biomaterials, with a direct impact on clinical practice and the improvement of aesthetic results in restorative dentistry.
This research, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the São Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP), provides dentists and prosthetists with key information for choosing the appropriate material and thickness for aesthetic restorations, especially in complex clinical cases.
About the research group
El grupo TEC09 – Biomaterials Optics of the Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA) focuses his work on the study of the Optical and structural properties of materials used in dentistry and other biomedical applicationsIts goal is to understand how light interacts with biomaterials to improve both their aesthetics and clinical performance. Using advanced optical measurement and digital modeling techniques, the group develops tools that help optimize the design of prostheses, dental restorations, and other biomedical materials, combining basic research with direct applications in clinical practice.
More information about the group: https://www.ibsgranada.es/grupos-de-investigacion/tec09-optica-de-biomateriales/
Bibliographic reference
Mascaro BA, Tejada-Casado M., Fonseca RG, et al. “Masking Ability of CAD-CAM Materials at Different Thicknesses: A Study on Color, Translucency, and Infinite Optical Thickness.” Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, 2025.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jerd.13490
