Introduction. Different pattern materials were found to affect the marginal accuracy and internal fit of pressed restorations. However, whether using different pattern materials would influence the color of pressed lithium disilicate ceramics is unclear.
Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the color of a pressed lithium disilicate ceramic fabricated from wax and resin patterns.
Material and methods. Fourteen pattern discs, 14 mm in diameter and 1.5 mm in thickness, were fabricated from each pattern material, wax and resin. IPS e.max Press discs were then fabricated using the lost wax technique. The CIELab values were measured using a spectrophotometer (VITA Easyshade Compact). The ΔE00 values were calculated and compared to interpret the color differences with a perceptibility threshold of 0.8 and an acceptability threshold of 1.80 units.
Results. In relation to the reference, the color difference (ΔE00) values of the wax pattern group (0.76 ± 0.04) were significantly lower than those of the resin pattern group (1.95 ± 0.34).
Conclusions. The color of the pressed lithium disilicate ceramic was influenced by the use of wax and resin pattern materials. The wax pattern group showed clinically imperceptible color differences and the resin pattern group showed color differences that were clinically perceptible and not acceptable.