Evaluation of the light transmission of chairside polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramics in different shades and thicknesses

This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the amount of polymerizing light passing through hybrid ceramic specimens in different shades and thicknesses. Rectangular-shaped feldspathic ceramic computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) blocks and translucent and high translucent polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramic CAD-CAM blocks in four different shades (1M1, 1M2, 2M2, and 3M2) were sectioned in four different thicknesses (0.8, 1.5, 2, and 3 mm), and a total of 48 groups (n = 10) were obtained. Feldspathic ceramic specimens served as the control group. The light transmission of each ceramic specimen was measured three times by using a light-emitting diode and a radiometer. Data were statistically analyzed by using univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by one-way ANOVA, Tukey honest significant difference, and Tamhane T2 tests (α = 0.05). Translucent polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramic specimens exhibited significantly (p < 0.001) lower light transmission values than high translucent polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramic and feldspathic ceramic specimens, whereas feldspathic ceramic specimens exhibited significantly (p < 0.001) higher light transmission than translucent and high translucent polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramic specimens. The amount of light transmission significantly (p < 0.05) decreased when the shade value decreased and the thickness increased. Polymer infiltrated hybrid ceramic specimens showed lower light transmission values than feldspathic ceramic specimens, and the amount of light transmission was affected by the ceramic shade and thickness