A Study to Compare the Efficiency of Different Finishing-Polishing Systems on Surface Roughness of Nanohybrid Composite Resin

Abstract

Aim: This in vitro study was aimed to investigate the influence of various finishing and polishing systems on the surface roughness of nanohybrid (IPS Empress Direct) composite resin. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 disc-shaped specimens were prepared in composite resin using standardized cylindrical metallic mold (10 mm × 2 mm). All the samples were randomly divided into five groups each containing 10 discs: Group I — Mylar strip, Group II — Sof-Lex polishing system, Group III — Super Snap polishing system, Group IV — Opti1Step polishing system and Group V — OneGloss polishing system. The average surface roughness (Ra) of each specimen was measured three times and the mean Ra values were determined using a surface profilometer. Results: The obtained data were collected and statistically analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. Surface roughness was found to be in the following order: Mylar strip < Super Snap polishing system < SofLex polishing system < Opti1Step polishing system < OneGloss polishing system. This difference in surface roughness of composite resin was statistically significant (P < 0.05) in all the five experimental groups. Conclusion: Surface roughness of composite resin depends on the composition, number of steps and flexibility of the finishing and polishing system employed.