The purpose was to investigate the influence of curing devices and curing times on the yellow value (b-value) of composites, ormocers and compomers after performing a suntest (EN ISO 7491). Eight samples of Charisma (CH), Durafill (DU), Definite (DE), and Dyract AP (DY) each were light cured with Translux Energy (tungsten halogen light) for 20, 40 or 60 s and with Apollo 95-E (plasma light) for 3, 10 or 20 s. All samples were subjected to a suntest. Before and after the suntest the yellow values (b-values) were determined and the change (Delta b) was calculated. When cured with Translux Energy for 20 and 40 s DU, CH, and DY revealed significantly negative Delta b-values. The b-value of DE remained nearly constant. When cured for 60 s, DU and DE shifted to more yellow while CH and DY still bleached a little. When cured with Apollo 95-E, a dramatic bleaching process of all materials investigated occurred after the suntest (significant negative Delta b). It may be concluded that the bleaching of composites, ormocers and compomers depends on (i) the used light curing device and (ii) the chosen curing times. The tungsten halogen light provided highly significantly superior results.

People worldwide have become increasingly aware of the potential adverse effects on the environment, of pollution control and of toxic effects of food, drugs and biomaterials. Amalgam and its potential toxic side effects (still scientifically unproven) continue to be discussed with increasing controversy by the media in some countries. Consequently, new direct restorative materials are now being explored by dentists, materials scientists and patients who are searching for the so-called 'amalgam substitute' or 'amalgam alternative'. From a critical point of view some of the new direct restorative materials are good with respect to aesthetics, but all material characteristics must be considered, such as mechanical properties, biological effects, and longterm clinical behaviour.

The influence of curing devices and curing times on the color stability of filling resins was investigated by measuring the CIE-Laboratory-values after performing dry storage, water storage, and a Suntest (EN ISO 7491). Eight samples each of Charisma (CH), Durafill (DU), Definite (DE), and Dyract AP (DY) were light cured by using Translux Energy (TE) for 20, 40 or 60 s, or by using Apollo 95E (AP) for 3, 10 or 20 s. Minor color changes occurred for all dry stored materials, devices and curing times. The TE-cured, water-stored samples behaved similarly to the dry-stored ones, but the samples cured with AP revealed very strong color changes, mainly because of a drastic bleaching process. The bleaching of DU was significantly less than that of the other materials, but a strong white shift occurred. CH, DE, and DU showed very little (and even acceptable) discolorations after the Suntest when TE-cured. DY showed a drastically discoloration. All samples cured using AP drastically bleached and shifted to white for DU and DY but to dark for DE. In conclusion, the extent of discoloration depends on (i) the material, (ii) the test method, (iii) curing time, and (iv) the curing device. The halogen light-cured samples performed best.

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