Effect of topical fluoride application on the surface roughness of composites.

The influence of fluoride solutions on the surface roughness of polished and nonpolished composites with Sof-Lex discs was verified. Concise and Herculite XR samples were exposed to the action of 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride rinse, 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride gel, and 0.2% neutral phosphate fluoride rinse for 4 min each. The average roughness values obtained by perfilometer showed that all fluoride solutions produced surface alterations in the samples. In the unpolished samples, more roughness was produced in Concise etched by 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride rinse. In the polished samples, the 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride gel produced greater alterations in Herculite XR, and the neutral rinse in Concise samples.