The Effect of Polishing Technique on Surface Gloss of Different Restorative Resin Composites

Objectives: The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the effects of different polishing protocols on the surface gloss (SG) of different commercial dental resin composites (RCs).
Methods: A total of 147 block-shaped specimens (40 mm length × 10 mm width × 2 mm thick) were made from conventional RCs (G-aenial Anterior and G-aenial FloX), bulk fill RC (Filtek bulk-fill), fluoride-releasing RCs (BEAUTIFIL II, ACTIVA-Restorative) and discontinuous fiber-reinforced RCs (Alert and everX Flow). Each group was subdivided into five groups (n=3), according to polishing protocol: Laboratory polishing with different silicon paper grits (G1: 1200) → (G2: 2400) → (G3: 4000). Chairside polishing using a series of Sof-Lex spiral (G4) and Jiffy Polisher points (G5). Glossmeter was used to determine the SG at 60°. SG was measured before and after polishing. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluation was then performed. Data were analyzed using ANOVA (p = 0.05).
Results: Significant differences in SG (ranged 3-93 GU) were found according to the type of polishing protocol and RC (p<0.05). Specimens polished with 4000 grit paper showed the highest SG (93 GU) values among all the groups tested.
Conclusions: The tested chairside polishing protocols presented lower SG values than laboratory polishing (4000 silicon paper grit) and unpolished surfaces.