Impact of Polishing Systems on the Surface Roughness and Microhardness of Nanocomposites.

AIM: The aim of this article is to evaluate the influence of finishing and polishing techniques on the surface roughness and microhardness of two composite resins with two different types of polishing systems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 disk-shaped specimens of nanocomposite Filtek™ Z350 and Ceram-X® were prepared. They were divided into three groups. The control group (n = 10) received no finishing and polishing. The remaining specimens were divided into two groups, and they received polishing and finishing either with PoGo or Sof-Lex system. After the polishing procedures, average surface roughness (Ra) was assessed with a surface profilometer. The microhardness was determined using a Vickers hardness test. The data were tabulated and analyzed.

RESULTS: The smoothest surfaces were noticed with the control group (Mylar strips) in both composite materials tested. The PoGo one-step polishing system showed significantly better surface roughness compared with the Sof-Lex polishing system. The microhardness did not show any significant variations after finishing and polishing.

CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the use of PoGo® one-step polishing system resulted in smoother surface with both composite materials studied compared with the Sof-Lex system. The finishing and polishing system had little influence on the surface microhardness.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The finishing procedure and polishing system can affect the physical properties and performance of resin composites.