Comparative evaluation of polishing systems on the surface of three aesthetic materials.

This study compared the efficacy of three different polishing methods on a resin composite, a glass ionomer cement (GIC) and a compomer. Thirty samples of each material were prepared. Ten of them were randomly assigned to one of the three polishing methods. The surface roughness (Ra) of the samples were measured before and after the polishing procedure with a profilometer. There was no statistical difference between the composite and the compomer prior to polishing but statistical difference was found between the GIC and the two other materials. After polishing, the smoothest surfaces were obtained using Sof-Lex discs for the three materials, and the roughest surface, with tungsten carbide burs for the composite and the compomer, and with Enhance kit for the GIC. The composite gave the smoothest surface with the three methods.