Color Stability of Pediatric Prefabricated Crowns Exposed to Childhood Beverages.

Purpose: To evaluate changes in color stability and translucency for different zirconia crowns (ZRCs) following immersion in common childhood beverages. Methods: Twenty-four maxillary right central incisor ZRCs were obtained from NuSmile® Sprig, and Kinder Krowns® and randomly divided into four groups. Crowns were evaluated initially at baseline (control) with a spectrophotometer and immersed in Minute Maid® apple juice, Tum-E Yummies®, Gatorade®, and Kool-Aid® for 21 days to determine color and translucency. Mean and standard deviations were calculated for CIEDE2000 color differences (ΔE00), translucency parameter (TP00), and difference in translucency parameter (TP00). Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance and the Holm-Sidak post hoc test (P<0.05). Results were interpreted using visual color difference thresholds in dentistry (perceptibility threshold [PT] equals 0.8 for the 50:50, and acceptability threshold [AT] equals AT 1.8 50:50). Likewise, TP00 values were interpreted using visual translucency difference thresholds (translucency perceptibility threshold TPT equals 0.6 for 50:50 and translucency acceptability threshold TAT equals 2.6 for 50:50). Results: Color changes for NuSmile® and Kinder Krowns® were seen at the initial time interval when exposed to Kool-Aid® or in apple juice. Sprig had its greatest change when exposed to Kool-Aid®. The greatest difference in translucency occurred with Sprig in Kool-Aid® and apple juice. All crowns experienced changes in color and translucency, exceeding the PT in at least one staining solution, but none exceeded the acceptability thresholds. Conclusion: Only slighty perceived differences in color and translucency after exposure to common childhood beverages may be observed in prefabricated pediatric zirconia crowns.