The surface roughness of new fluoride releasing material after using three polishing protocols and storage in artificial saliva

Abstract

Background: Prophylaxis methods are used to mechanically remove plaque and stain from tooth surfaces; suchmethods give rise to loss of superficial structure and roughen the surface of composites as a result of their abrasiveaction. This study was done to assess the effect of three polishing systems on surface texture of new anteriorcomposites after storage in artificial saliva.Materials and methods: A total of 40 Giomer and Tetric®N-Ceram composite discs of 12 mm internal diameter and3mm height were prepared using a specially designed cylindrical mold and were stored in artificial saliva for onemonth and then samples were divided into four groups according to surface treatment:Group A (control group):10 specimens received no surface polish and were subdivided into A1 (Giomer) and A2(Tetric®N-Ceram). Group B: 10 specimens received polishing with Air polishing devise (APD) and were subdivided intoB1 (Giomer) and B2 (Tetric®N-Ceram). Group C: 10 specimens received polishing with pumice and brush and weresubdivided into C1 (Giomer) and C2 (Tetric®N-Ceram). Group D: 10 specimens were polished with pumice andrubber cup and were subdivided into D1 (Giomer) and D2 (Tetric®N-Ceram). Testing was done by means ofprofilometer and statistically analyzed using analysis of variance test (ANOVA), LSD and student t-test. Also sampleswere photographed by special orthoplane camera using light polarizing microscope.Results: The results showed a highly statistical significant difference in surface roughness among Giomer subgroupsP<0.05. Also there was a highly significant difference P<0.05 when comparing Tetric subgroups according to type ofsurface treatment. Furthermore there was non-significant difference P>0.05 between groups according to the typeof restorative material used.Conclusion: The use of prophylactic surface treatment significantly increased Giomer and Tetric ceram surfaceroughness and the use of rotating brush has shown the roughest surface among all other types of prophylacticprotocols also Giomer had shown more surface roughness than Tetric ceram although the difference was notsignificant.