Effect of Three Polishing Systems on Surface Properties of Resin Composites with Different Filler Particles

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of rubber points and spiral-shaped wheels of three polishing systems on the surface properties (surface roughness and gloss) of four universal resin composites loaded with different filler particle systems. Methods: Disk-shaped specimens of four resin composites loaded with different filler particles systems (n = 5 for each group): nanofilled (Z350 – Z3), suprananofilled (Estelite Omega – EO), submicron-hybrid (Brilliant Everglow – EG) and hybrid (Vitra – VI) were built up to standardized surface roughness and submitted to three polishing systems, all of them with tip and spiral-shaped wheels: Jota (JO), Ultradent (UD) and American Burrs (AB). Surface roughness (Sa parameter) was evaluated under 3D-laser confocal microscopy and gloss (gloss unit – GU) by using a glossmeter. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test. Results: Surface roughness ranged from 0.33 to 0.53 μm for rubber points and from 0.22 to 0.55 µm for spiral-shaped wheels. Regarding gloss, the ranges were 33.9 to 64.4 GU for rubber points and 29.7 to 61.5 GU for spiral-shaped wheels. Conclusion: In general, JO and AM produced lower surface roughness and higher gloss than UD and EO and Z3, resin composites with smaller filler particles, presented better gloss than VI and EG.