Effect of Eggshell Powder Flow on Surface Roughness of Composite

Objectives: This study compares the effects of sodium bicarbonate air flow powder used in clinical routine with eggshell air flow powder developed for experimental prophylaxis on the surface roughness of polished composite fillings.
Methods: Twenty standard-sized composite discs (Omnichroma, Tokuyama Dental, Japan) with a 1 cm diameter were created for this in vitro investigation. The groups (n=10) were split into two groups at random. A profilometry equipment (SJ201 Mitutoyo, Japan) was used to measure the initial roughness values (Ra) of all samples after they had been polished using conventional polishing discs. The first group was then sandblasted (EMS CH-1260 Nyon, Swiss) for 20 seconds from a distance of 3 mm using sodium bicarbonate air flow powder (Tunadent Medical, Türkiye) and the second group was sandblasted for 20 seconds using experimental eggshell air flow powder. The roughness measurements were repeated after the samples were ultrasonically cleaned. For every surface, three measurements were taken. Averages were noted. A statistical analysis was performed on the data.
Results: Prior to sandblasting, the samples roughness levels were 0.59 for the first group and 0.56 for the second. Following sandblasting, the average for the sodium bicarbonate group was 0.89, while the average for the eggshell powder group was 0.85. The initial measures following sandblasting in both groups differed statistically (p<0.001). Between the two groups, there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05).
Conclusions: Prophylactic air flow powders make polished composite surfaces rougher. Sodium bicarbonate powders can be substituted with the experimental eggshell air flow powder that we employed in this investigation. The findings of this study, however, suggest that composite fillings should be re-polished following prophylactic operations.