Effect of finishing and polishing procedures on the surface roughness of new tooth-coloured restoratives.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of various finishing and polishing procedures on the surface roughness of three new tooth-coloured restorative materials. The materials included a hybrid composite resin (Filtek Z250), a packable composite resin (Filtek P60), and an ormocer (organically modified ceramic) (Definite). Thirty-two specimens of each material were prepared and randomly divided into four finishing and polishing groups (n = 8): (i) diamond bur/silicone polishers, (ii) diamond bur/Sof-Lex discs, (iii) carbide bur/silicone polishers, (iv) carbide bur/Sof-Lex discs. Average surface roughness (Ra) in micrometers was measured with a Mitutoyo Surftest-402 Surface Roughness Tester and the data compared using anova, at P < or = 0.05. Surface topography was also assessed using the scanning electron microscope (s.e.m) from samples of each group. The Mylar strip produced the smoothest surface and finishing/polishing procedures; (ii) and (iv) were significantly smoother than (i) and (iii). The lowest variability in initial surface roughness between materials was also observed with ormocer group.