title: A comparison of different techniques for finishing and polishing amalgam.
abstract: Three different methods for finishing and polishing amalgam surfaces were studied by determining the roughness (Ra) of specimens at different stages of the procedures. Method I consisted of green stone, followed in sequence by finishing bur and pastes of pumice, powdered chalk, and SnO2. Method II was similar to method I but included brown and green Shofu polishers after the finishing bur. In method III medium and fine sandpaper and fine cuttle-paper discs were used before the pastes. A dramatic decrease in the Ra values was observed after the specimens had been ground with green stones, finishing burs, and sandpaper discs. Pumice resulted in a further reduction in Ra values. However, no significant differences in Ra values were found between the brown Shofu polisher, the fine cuttle-paper disc, and the different pastes. The lowest Ra value--that is, the highest smoothness--was obtained with green Shofu polisher.
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003723:Dental Amalgam; D003775:Dental Polishing / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003723:Dental Amalgam