Effect of Polishing Systems on Surface Roughness of Resin Composites

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different polishing systems on surface roughness of various resin composites.

Methods: The resin composites used in this study were:

A. Filtek Supreme (3M. ESPE) B. Admira (Voco) C. Alert (Jeneric/Pentron) and

D. Definite (Degussa).

Thirty specimens of each resin composite were polymerized for 40sec under a Mylar strip in cylindrical molds (6cm diameter, 3mm height). Each type of polymer was divided into five subgroups: unpolished, polished with abrasive disks Super-Snap (Shofu), polished with silicon-impregnated polishing devices Astropol (Ivoclar Vivadent), polised with Diacomp (EVE), and polished with Astrobrush polishing system (Ivoclar Vivadent). The surface roughness of each specimen was determined using a profilometer (Mitutoyo 5J 201) and by observation under a scanning electron microscope (JEOL, J.S.M.-840, Japan). Statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA and Dunnett's test.

Results: The Mylar strip group had the lowest roughness value (Ra in ìm), (range: 0.08 to 0.11 Ra) and was significantly different from all of the polishing procedures (p<0.05). No significant differences in surface roughness among the materials were found on unpolished surfaces (p>0.05).

A significant difference was observed among the polishing procedures (p<0.05). The use of the Astrobrush polishing system caused the greatest roughness (range: 0.50 to 0.68 Ra) on all resin composites (p<0.05). The smoothest surface was produced with abrasive disks Super-Snap and Astropol .

Conclusion: The four composite resins used in this study display variable surface roughness depending on the polishing system used. The highest surface roughness values were achieved after the Astrobrush polishing system was used. The Super-Snap and Astropol provided the smoothest surface.