Effects of a paste-free prophylaxis polishing cup and various prophylaxis polishing pastes on tooth enamel and restorative materials.
The application of cleaning and polishing agents to a patient's dentition is a routine part of many dental practices. This study measured the surface roughness and surface gloss of tooth enamel, composite resin, and dental porcelain restorative materials when exposed to a paste-free prophylaxis polishing cup as well as a conventional prophylaxis polishing paste. Samples of human tooth enamel, a composite resin restorative material, and dental porcelain were prepared by a series of polishing papers to produce a flat smooth surface. The baseline average surface roughness (Ra) was measured using a contact stylus profilometer, and the surface gloss was measured with a glossmeter. The test samples were subjected to a standardized polishing routine using a paste-free prophylaxis polishing cup and a fine- or coarse-particle prophylaxis paste. Post-treatment surface roughness and gloss measurements were compared using a paired t statistical test.  The conventional prophylaxis pastes increased surface roughness and decreased the gloss of the composite resin and tooth enamel test groups. The paste-free cups did not significantly affect the surface roughness of the enamel or the restorative materials. Dental porcelain surface roughness essentially was not affected by the application of paste-free cups and the fine and coarse pastes.
Department of Adult Restorative Dentistry, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, Lincoln, USA.
David A
DA
Covey
Caren
C
Barnes
Hidehiko
H
Watanabe
William W
WW
Johnson
D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000737:chemistry; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; C474035:Filtek Supreme; D014100:Toothpastes; D003776:Dental Porcelain