Effect of Common Staining Beverages on the Color Stability of Additively and Subtractively Manufactured Provisional Materials

Background/Objectives: The increasing use of digital manufacturing techniques in prosthodontics has raised concerns regarding the long-term esthetic performance of provisional restorations. This in vitro study aimed to compare the color stability of provisional restorations fabricated by additive (3D-printed) and subtractive (milled) manufacturing techniques after immersion in common staining beverages. Methods: Eighty polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-based specimens (16 × 1 mm) were fabricated and divided into two groups: additive (n = 40) and subtractive (n = 40). Each group was immersed in coffee, red wine, green tea, or cola for 60 and 120 h at 37 °C. Color measurements were recorded using a spectrophotometer in the CIE LCh* system, and color differences (ΔE₀₀) were calculated using the CIEDE2000 formula. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post hoc tests (α = 0.05). Results: Additively manufactured specimens showed significantly higher color change (ΔE₀₀) values than subtractively milled specimens across all immersion media and time intervals (p < 0.05). Red wine and coffee caused the greatest discoloration, whereas cola produced the least effect. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, additive manufacturing resulted in lower color stability than subtractive fabrication. Subtractive PMMA materials exhibited superior optical behavior, suggesting their suitability for long-term provisionalization in esthetically demanding clinical situations.