EVALUATION OF FINISHING AND POLISHING CERVICAL RESTORATIONS THROUGH SURFACE-MATCHING SOFTWARE AND PROFILOMETRY

Abstract

The finishing and polishing of cervical restorations present intrinsic access difficulties, significantly when the restorations extend subgingivally. Problems in these maneuvers can lead to plaque accumulation, gingivitis, and caries. This work evaluated the roughness and the topographical aspect of cervical composite resin restorations after finishing and polishing through surface-matching software and profilometry, simulating clinical conditions. Fifteen specimens were positioned in a dental dummy to assess surface roughness and surface topography, considering three groups: G1 – rubber points (Jiffy Points / Ultradent) after finishing points F and FF (Microdont); G2 – surface sealant (Permaseal / Ultradent) after finishing points F and FF (Microdont); and G3 – polishing discs (Sof-Lex Pop-On / 3M ESPE). Profilometry assessed surface roughness parameters (Ra, Rq, Rp, Rv, and Rt). Superimposing images with surface-matching software was employed to perform a topographic surface evaluation. Roughness parameter values were compared using One-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey tests (p<0.05). G1 presented higher roughness values in all parameters analyzed except Rt, where no statistically significant difference existed. Regarding the Rp parameter, G1 showed a significant difference only concerning G3. In the other parameters (Ra, Rv, and Rz), G1 led to more important values than G2 and G3. The qualitative analysis demonstrated incomplete excesses or iatrogenic wear in regions with difficulty accessing among all groups. G3 performed better in terms of polishing. However, none of the groups reached a level of polishing considered ideal to avoid plaque accumulation. Morphological analysis demonstrated problems in difficult-to-access areas in all groups.