The art and science of abrasive finishing and polishing in restorative dentistry.

Effective use of rotary cutting burs and bonded, coated, and loose abrasives can greatly simplify and improve the effectiveness of finishing and polishing procedures. Fluted carbide finishing burs appear to be the optimal rotary contouring devices for posterior composite resins. Finishing diamonds are preferred for gross finishing of adjusted porcelain. Coated abrasive discs and strips provide unique interproximal and incisal access and are preferred for finishing and polishing of microfil resins. Rubberized bonded abrasives have evolved to provide a greater range of finishing and polishing action on composite resin and for polishing porcelain. A wide selection of aluminum oxide and diamond polishing pastes, together with highly effective felt and foam application devices, are now available to polish composite and porcelain to an enamel-like appearance. Aluminum oxide composite polishing pastes are highly effective and strongly recommended for use on highly filled hybrid composites but have limited utility on microfil resins, with use of extrafine (0.3-mu) pastes clearly contraindicated.