Three-Year Clinical Follow-Up of a Universal Shade Resin Composite Across Repeated Tooth Bleaching: A Longitudinal Case Report

Tooth bleaching improves dental esthetics but may cause color mismatch with existing resin composite restorations and complicate restorative treatment planning because tooth color may change during the post-bleaching stabilization period, sometimes requiring delayed restoration placement or replacement of existing restorations. Universal shade resin composite (UC) has been introduced to simplify shade selection; however, its ability to adapt to dynamic tooth color changes associated with bleaching has not been sufficiently documented. A 61-year-old male patient underwent tooth bleaching for esthetic improvement. One year later, secondary caries was detected on tooth #22 and restored using a UC. The restoration was placed prior to additional bleaching procedures. Clinical follow-up indicated that the UC restoration appeared to maintain shade adaptation after bleaching. Furthermore, at the two-year follow-up, generalized tooth discoloration was observed; however, the restoration remained harmonized with the surrounding tooth structure. Subsequent additional bleaching resulted in further lightening of the tooth structure while shade harmony with the restoration was preserved. Favorable shade adaptation was maintained throughout the three-year follow-up. This case suggests that a UC restoration placed before bleaching appeared to maintain shade compatibility over long-term follow-up, despite bleaching-induced color improvement and subsequent intrinsic and extrinsic discoloration.