The Assessment of the Abrasiveness for Resin Composite Finishing and Polishing Systems

Abstract

Objective: This study was aimed to assess the abrasiveness of 4 composite finishing and polishing systems, on 2 nano-hybrid composite materials. Methods: Fourty samples were prepared using Tetric EvoCeram BulkFill and IPS Empress Direct composites (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Lichtenstein). Each group was divided into 4 subgroups (Sof-Lex Disc, 3M, MN, USA; Enhance/Pogo, Dentsply, Konstanz, Germany; OptraGloss, Ivoclar Vivadent; Twist Dia, Kuraray, Tokyo, Japan). Finishing and polishing systems were performed at one side, for 30 s regarding each step. Initial (t0) and final (t1) thicknesses were measured with a micrometer (ME-DI-MIC-25-50-LD Digital External Micrometer, Machine DRO, Hoddesdon, UK). Two-way Anova test and Tukey HSD were performed for multiple comparisons, according to the t1-t0 values. Deem significance was set at p<0,05. Results: IPS Empress Direct composite presented significantly a greater level of abrasion (52.85 +/- 42.26) than Tetric Evo Ceram BulkFill (p<0.001). Significantly a greater level of abrasiveness was observed for Sof-Lex Disc system (91.25 +/- 47.22) among all finishing and polishing materials (p<0.001). There was no significant differences in abrasiveness, between Enhance/Pogo - Optragloss (p=0.859), Enhance/Pogo - Twist Dia (p=0.891), and Twist Dia - Optragloss (p=0.440). Conclusion: Both the type of composite and the finishing and polishing material were considered effective factors for abrasion. The greatest level of abrasiveness was observed for Sof-Lex Disc system (91 mu m on average). The abrasiveness for 2-step systems was similar and ranged between 24-36 mu m on average. IPS Empress Direct presented a greater level of abrasion on equal terms of finishing and polishing.