The effects of a commercial aluminum airpolishing powder on dental restorative materials.
BACKGROUND
JET-Fresh (Dentsply International, York, PA), a new airpolishing powder that contains aluminum trihydroxide as the abrasive agent, has been introduced for use with Prophy-Jet trade mark (Dentsply International).


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the surface effects of aluminum trihydroxide airpolishing powder on a series of restorative materials.


METHODS
A total of 6 Class V preparations with enamel margins were created on the buccal surface of extracted human molars. The preparations were restored with Type III gold, a high copper spherical alloy amalgam, porcelain, a light-activated hybrid composite material, a light-activated microfilled composite material, and a light-activated, resin-modified glass ionomer material. The distal half of each restoration was covered with fiberglass tape and the mesial half subjected to treatment with the aluminum trihydroxide powder via the Prophy-Jet for 5 seconds. After removal of the protective tape, the buccal surface of each treated tooth was replicated with impression material. Replicas were generated using epoxy resin and prepared for evaluation with scanning electron microscopy.


RESULTS
The aluminum trihydroxide produced surface alterations that were apparent visually and when viewed by a scanning microscope of the hybrid and microfilled composites and the glass ionomer restorations. The surfaces of the amalgam and gold restorations were altered, but not to the extent that the resin-based materials were. No disruption of the surface characterization of the porcelain was detected; however, with gold and porcelain materials, the aluminum trihydroxide removed notable amounts of the luting cements (the results are consistent with the data gathered with sodium bicarbonate powder).


CONCLUSIONS
Aluminum trihydroxide as the abrasive agent in an airpolishing system should be avoided on resin composites, resin-modified composites, and around the margins of cemented restorations.
Johnson
William W
WW
Department of Adult Restorative Dentistry, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, NE 68583-0740, USA.
Barnes
Caren M
CM
Covey
David A
DA
Walker
Mary P
MP
Ross
Judith A
JA
D000535:Aluminum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003764:Dental Materials; D003775:Dental Polishing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000009:adverse effects*
D003764:Dental Materials; D003802:Dentifrices; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D000535:Aluminum