Nine prophylactic polishing pastes: impact on discoloration, gloss, and surface properties of a CAD/CAM resin composite.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate discoloration reduction and changes of surface properties of a CAD/CAM resin composite after 14 days´ storage in red wine and polishing with nine different prophylactic polishing pastes (PPPs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rectangular discs (N = 172) were fabricated and polished (P4000) using GC Cerasmart (GC Europe) to investigate different polishing protocols with 1-4 related descending PPPs (22 in total): Cleanic/CLE-Kerr, CleanJoy/CLJ-Voco, Clean Polish/Super Polish/SPO-Kerr, Clinpro Prophy Paste/CPP-3M, Détartrine/DET-Septodont, Nupro/NUP-Dentsply Sirona, Prophy Paste CCS/CCS-Directa, Proxyt/PXT-Ivoclar Vivadent, and Zircate/ZIR Prophy Paste-Dentsply Sirona. Surface properties (roughness values (RV)/Ra, Rz, Rv, surface free energy (SFE), surface gloss (G), and discoloration (ΔE)) were analyzed before and after storage and additional polishing. Data were examined using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, three-way ANOVA followed by Tukey-B post hoc, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests (α < 0.05).

RESULTS: Regarding RV, CLE, followed by CCS, and CPP showed the highest values; the lowest presented SPO and DET (p < 0.001). No impact of PPP was observed on ΔE values (p = 0.160). The lowest SFE presented DET, followed by SPO; highest showed CCS followed by NUP and CPP (p < 0.001). Within G, lowest values were observed for CLE and NUP, followed by CCS, ZIP, and CLJ (p < 0.001); the highest presented SPO (p < 0.001). Polishing showed generally a positive impact on SFE values (p < 0.001-p = 0.007), except ZIP (p = 0.322) and CLE (p = 0.083). G increased and RV decreased after polishing (p < 0.001), except SPO, with no significant change for G (p = 0.786).

CONCLUSIONS: Polishing with PPPs improves the surface properties and is generally recommended. The choice of PPP has a minor role in removing discolorations. Multi-step systems should be carried out conscientiously.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The proper selection of PPP is essential for the clinical outcome of surface properties of prosthetic restorations. Not every polishing paste leads to the same final surface quality.