Effects of various polishing techniques and thermal cycling on the surface roughness and color change of polymer-based CAD/CAM materials.

PURPOSE: To investigate and compare the effects of several polishing systems and thermal cycling on the surface roughness and color change of various polymer-based CAD/CAM materials.

METHODS: Bar-shaped specimens (GC CeraSmart, CS; Lava Ultimate, LU and Vita Enamic, VE) were prepared. All specimens were polished with SiC papers. The specimens in Group A served as control and no additional surface polishing was applied. Final polishing was performed using diamond polishing paste (Diapolisher Paste) in Group B. In Group C, aluminum oxide abrasive discs (Sof-Lex XT Pop on) were used. Group D was polished with diamond impregnated spiral polishing system (EVE Diacomp Plus Twist). In Group E, polishing was done with rubber-based silicon abrasives (Polydentia). Thereafter, the specimens were submitted to thermal cycling. The surface roughness and color measurements were performed. Kruskal-Wallis and the Mann-Whitney U tests were applied for the evaluation of ΔE₀₀ data. Ra data were evaluated using three-way ANOVA. Pearson's correlation between Ra and ΔE₀₀ was further investigated.

RESULTS: Neither the CAD/CAM materials nor thermal cycling affected the Ra data (P> 0.05). In contrast, significant difference was found among the polishing methods (P< 0.001). On the other hand, VE showed the highest color change whereas LU showed the lowest (P< 0.05). Additionally, the specimens in Group D exhibited significantly higher color change than other tested groups (P< 0.05). A moderate positive correlation was seen between Ra and ΔE₀₀ data of LU (rho = 0.390, P= 0.01).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The diamond impregnated two-stage polishing procedure may not be an appropriate method for the tested CAD/CAM materials, as it resulted in the highest color change. On the other hand, all tested materials exhibited visually perceptible, but clinically acceptable color changes following the different polishing techniques. Additionally, diamond paste polishing could be a clinically acceptable procedure in terms of surface roughness.