Effect of Latest Polishing-systems on Surface-gloss of Various Resin Composites

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of latest polishing-systems on the surface-gloss of various universal and flowable resin composites.
Methods: Two latest polishing-systems; a wheel-type system: Sof-Lex Spiral(S, 3M ESPE) and a disk-type system: Super Snap Reborn(R, Shofu) were used. Two conventional point-type systems; Compomaster(C, Shofu) and Pre Shine + Dia Shine(D, GC) were selected　as control. Two universal resin-composites; Clearfil Majesty ES-2 Classic(MC, Kuraray Noritake Dental) and Filtek Supreme Ultra Universal Restorative(SU, 3M ESPE), and two flowable resin-composites; Clearfil Majesty ES Flow(MF, Kuraray Noritake Dental) and Filtek Supreme Ultra Flowable Restorative(SF, 3M ESPE), were used. The surface of resin-composite filled into a cylindrical mold (φ15x3mm) was flattened with a transparent film, and the composites were light-cured. The flattened surface was polished with four polishing-systems according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The surface-gloss of four composite-specimens polished with four systems and those of film-flattened surface of each composite-specimen were measured (n=6) by a glossmeter(IG-331, Horiba). The data were examined using two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s q-test.
Results: Mean surface-gloss values of four polishing-systems became smaller in the order, R>S>D≥C, the values of R and S was significantly greater than those of D and C. The gloss of four resin-composites polished with four systems(53.3-74.4) were significantly smaller than those of film-flattened control surfaces(91.8-93.5). The values of four resin-composites were MF>SU≥SF≥MC. The surface-gloss was significantly influenced by polishing-systems and resin-composites at p<0.01, and the effect of polishing-system on the gloss statistically did vary depending on resin-composite.
Conclusions: The surface-gloss of two latest polishing-systems, S and R, was significantly superior to those of two conventional point-type systems, D and C. The gloss values of four polishing-systems were although significantly inferior to that of film-flattened control surface. Effect of polishing-system on the surface-gloss did vary depending on resin-composite.