Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of two prophylaxis pastes on surface microhardness of three indirect composite materials.
Methods: Indirect composites Tescera (T; Bisco), Estenia (E; Kuraray) and Estenia CB (C; Kuraray) (n=7) were prepared using a polyethylene mold with 8mm in diameter and 2mm in thickness and were polymerized with their proprietary curing units. The specimens were then stored in distilled water for 24 hours and polished with 2500 grit SiC paper followed by 1µm diamond paste. The mean surface microhardness of the specimens before (control) and after exposure to the prophylaxis pastes Detartrine (D;Septodont) and Topex (T; Sultan) was determined using a digital microhardness tester (Buehler) and 500 g load was applied with a dwell time of 15 seconds. Data were analyzed using Kruskal Wallis and Dunn's multiple comparison at p<0.05.
Results:(VHN) Different superscript letters indicate statistically significant difference (p<0.05).
| Material | Control | Detartrine | Topex |
| Tescera | 70.9±0.3a, A | 74.9±0.5 a | 74.8±0.6 a |
| Estenia | 150.2±0.9d,B | 144.9±2 d,e | 137.9±2.6 e |
| Estenia CB | 151.6±3f,B | 155.7±1.8f,g | 171.7±1.6 g |
Conclusion: Microhardness of Tescera was not affected by prophylaxis paste application. significant changes were observed of Estenia and Estenia CB with Topex whereas detartrine did not result any significant changes.