Composite surface after finishing and polishing techniques / Superfície composta depois das técnicas de acabamento e polimento

ABSTRACT

Purpose: to evaluate the effect of finishing and polishing techniques on surface roughness of resin-based composites (RBCs). Materials and methods: Forty specimens of each material were cured under Mylar strips and immersed in artificial saliva for 1 wk. Samples were tested with a profilometer to obtain baseline average surface roughness (Ra). Specimens of both RBCs were then finished and polished according to four techniques (1) Sof-Lex disks; (2) Sof-Lex disks followed by Prisma Gloss; (3) Enhance points; (4) Enhance points-polishing and baseline values were analyzed. Results: ANOVA test (alfa=0.05) did not show differences between materials (P=0.9393) nor interaction effects (P=0.3094), but significant difference among the finishing/polishing techniques were detected (P=0.0157). Tukey's test showed that the smmothest surface was obtained when the specimes were treated by Sof-Lex followed by Prosma Gloss polishing paste; and the worst results were obtained after using Enhance points alone