title: Operator variability using different polishing methods and surface geometry of a nanohybrid composite.
abstract: This study evaluated the operator variability of different finishing and polishing techniques. After placing 120 composite restorations (Tetric EvoCeram) in plexiglassmolds, the surface of the specimens was roughened in a standardized manner. Twelve operators with different experience levels polished the specimens using the following finishing/polishing procedures: method 1 (40 μm diamond [40D], 15 μm diamond [15D], 42 μm silicon carbide polisher [42S], 6 μm silicon carbide polisher [6S] and Occlubrush [O]); method 2 (40D, 42S, 6S and O); method 3 (40D, 42S, 6S and PoGo); method 4 (40D, 42S and PoGo) and method 5 (40D, 42S and O). The mean surface roughness (Ra) was measured with a profilometer. Differences between the methods were analyzed with non-parametric ANOVA and pairwise Wilcoxon signed rank tests (α=0.05). All the restorations were qualitatively assessed using SEM. Methods 3 and 4 showed the best polishing results and method 5 demonstrated the poorest. Method 5 was also most dependent on the skills of the operator. Except for method 5, all of the tested procedures reached a clinically acceptable surface polish of Ra≤0.2 μm. Polishing procedures can be simplified without increasing variability between operators and without jeopardizing polishing results.
authors.affiliation: University of Bern, Department of Preventive, Restorative and Pediatric Dentistry, Bern, Switzerland. brigitte.zimmerli@zmk.unibe.ch
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zimmerli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lussi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Flury
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003188:Composite Resins; D003775:Dental Polishing / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053761:Nanocomposites; D011361:Professional Competence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins