Background and objective: Finishing and polishing techniques have great importance on the long-term success and aesthetics of the composite restorations. This study aimed to investigate the effect of three finishing and polishing systems on surface roughness and color changes of four different posterior composites.
Materials and Methods: Four different posterior composites, nanohybrid, nano-fill, sonic-activated bulk-fill and microhybrid resin-based composite, and three different finishing and polishing systems, Sof-Lex discs, Astropol® and TOR VM discs were used in the study. The disc specimens (15 disc for each resin composite with total n=60) were 10 mm in diameter and 2 mm in height. Before and after finishing and polishing procedure, surface roughness was measured with a profilometer device and the Ra values were recorded. Color changes was examined using spectrophotometer and (ΔE) values were calculated. Data were tabulated and statistically analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey's test at significance level of p<0.05.
Results: There was no significant difference among the composite resins or the finishing and polishing systems used on surface roughness (p > 0.05) although all composites showed a smoother surface after finishing and polishing procedures. As regard to color changes (ΔE) statistically significant difference was found between composite groups and finishing and polishing system used (p < 0.05). A direct correlation between Ra and ΔE values was found.
Conclusions: 1.surface roughness and color stability of resin composite restorations depend mainly on the material compositions and polishing procedure. 2. The effectiveness of the polishing systems was material dependent. 3. Among the material tested, Nanohybrid presented the smoothest surfaces and the least color changed material. 4. The polishing systems in this study, the best system was the TOR VM discs polishing system with respect to the surface roughness and color changes values. 5. Developments in finishing and polishing systems are important for the creation of ideal restorations and are associated with the increased clinical success of dental practitioners