ABSTRACT
Objectives. To evaluate the polishing procedures effect on color stability and surface roughness of composite resins. Methods. Specimens were distributed into 6 groups: G1: Filtek Supreme XT + PoGo; G2: Filtek Supreme XT + Sof-Lex; G3: Filtek Supreme XT + no polishing; G4: Amelogen + PoGo; G5: Amelogen + Sof-Lex.; G6: Amelogen + no polishing. Initial color values were evaluated using the CIELab scale. After polishing, surface roughness was evaluated and the specimens were stored in coffee solution at 37°C for 7 days. The final color measurement and roughness were determined. Results. Sof-Lex resulted in lower staining. Amelogen showed the highest roughness values than Filtek Supreme on baseline and final evaluations regardless of the polishing technique. Filtek Supreme polished with PoGo showed the lowest roughness values. All groups presented discoloration after storage in coffee solution, regardless of the polishing technique. Conclusion. Multiple-step polishing technique provided lower degree of discoloration for both composite resins. The final surface texture is material and technique dependent.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare marginal adaptation of composite restorations assessed by a dye staining method and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty bovine incisors were selected and ground flat to expose dentin. Two cylindrical cavities were prepared on the central area of flattened surfaces. Single bond adhesive system was applied in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and the cavities were filled with Filtek Z250 or Filtek Flow. The specimens were polished and replicas were obtained in epoxy resin. The replicas were observed by SEM for marginal quality/quantity evaluation. Caries detector was then applied on each specimen for 5 s to verify marginal adaptation through dye staining of the formed gaps on the outer margins. Images of the stained gaps were transferred to a computer measurement program to determine gap length. The length of the gap was expressed as the percentage of total length of the margins observed. Data were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: Filtek flow showed 36% and 34% and Filtek Z250 27% and 29% of gap in the margins when evaluated by SEM analysis and by the dye staining test, respectively. There was no difference between the composites, regardless of the evaluation technique. There was a strong positive correlation (r=0.83) between the results obtained with the tested methods to assess marginal gap. CONCLUSION: Dye staining the gaps can be used with good reliability to evaluate the gap formation in composite restorations.
