Ceramic Fluorescence — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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HardDental MaterialsCeramic FluorescenceORE Part 1

A ceramic crown has been fitted on a patient's upper left central incisor. It matches the adjacent central incisor in hue, value and chroma under ordinary operatory lighting, but appears less life-like when viewed in lighting that contains an ultraviolet component. Which optical property is most likely deficient?

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Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Fluorescence

Explanation lettering: B = shown as A · C = shown as B · A = shown as C · E = shown as D · D = shown as E

A. Fluorescence is deficient. Natural teeth fluoresce when illumination includes ultraviolet wavelengths, contributing to their vital, life-like appearance. A ceramic restoration may match under ordinary visible light yet look artificial in UV-containing light if its fluorescent response differs from adjacent teeth. Hue, value and chroma are conventional colour dimensions and are explicitly stated to match, so C, D and E are excluded. Translucency affects light transmission, opacity and depth of appearance, but it does not specifically account for the change in appearance under ultraviolet-containing illumination. Fluorescence is therefore the discriminating optical property.

Reference: Volpato CAP, Pereira MRC, Silva FS. Fluorescence of natural teeth and restorative materials, methods for analysis and quantification: A literature review. Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, 2018. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30375751/