Evaluation of the Effects of Different Types of Finishing and Polishing Protocols on the Surface Roughness of Restorative Materials

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different types of finishing and/or polishing protocols on the surface roughness of two different restorative materials that are frequently preferred in pediatric dentistry. Materials and Methods: Compomer (Dyract XP) (n=20) and glass hybrid restorative (Equia Forte HT) material discs (n=20) were prepared using metal moulds and initial surface roughness values (Ra) were measured and recorded with a profilometer. Each restorative material was subdivided to 4 groups (n=5) containing different finishing and/or polishing protocols for each restorative material group (Sof-Lex Disc, Sof-Lex Disc+Rubber Bur, Tungsten Carbide Bur and Tungsten Carbide Bur+Rubber Bur). After finishing&polishing procedures, final surface roughness measurements were performed and recorded. Kruskal Wallis-H and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests were used to analyze the data. Statistical significance value was taken as 0.05. Results: According to analyzes performed considering the alteration (ΔRa) between initial and final surface roughness values, no statistically significant difference was found in terms of ΔRa between two restorative materials and their subgroups (p=0.055). Also, final roughness values of compomer samples that were subjected to Tungsten Carbide Bur and Tungsten Carbide Bur+Rubber Bur were found to be significantly higher than initial roughness (p=0.043 and p=0.043, respectively). Conclusions: It was concluded that finishing and polishing protocols caused similar roughness changes on compomer and glass hybrid restorative material surfaces. However, it was also concluded that compomer surface finished with Tungsten Carbide burs was rougher than initial values.