[Comparison of different finishing methods for composites and compomers. Profilometric analysis]

Reconstructions with aesthetical materials neither finished nor polished can be extremely irregular and wrinkled. For this reason they represent an ideal basis for the growing of pigmentation which come from food remainings and the nestle of bacteria on the plaque. The finishing of aesthetical materials is a fundamental step in conservative dentistry. The finishing session regarding the aesthetical restorations should be considered and planned at the moment of their insertion in the prepared hollows. The finishing should not be considered an option, but the conclusion of all the conservative treatment. Purpose of the search is to examine and assess, through a technical equipment measuring the superficial wrinkledness of the materials, the action of 4 systems of finishing and polishing on two aesthetical materials widely used in the daily practice by dental surgeons: a compomer (Compoglass, Vivadent) and a composite (Spectrum, Dentsply).

For each of these two materials some little slabs model have been prepared, choosing the universal colour in the colorimetric scale. The two types of filling materials have been compared with 4 systems of finishing and polishing: Sof-Lex Pop-on (3M), Enhance system (Dentsply), Hawe Micro Disc (Howe Neos), Heawe Gommini Polisher (Heawe Neos). The total working time did not overcome 1 minute. The little slabs have been obtained, pressing the resin between two slides used in microscopy. In the hope to guarantee in the different samples, a uniform thickness, we have used a technical device. On each covering slide we have put a weight of 0.5 kg for 5 minutes. The thickness of the little slabs obtained was 2 mm. Thus, pressed between the two slides, the aesthetical material has been photopolymerized according to the time suggested by Manufacturing Industries. The sizes concerning the wrinkledness of samples subjected to different treatments have been carried out using a pointed profilometer with high sensitivity. (Tencor-P10). This instrument used in the National Laboratory of Catania, called INFN, is able to graphitize the wrinkledness of a surface "survbeying" it with a diamond ultramicrometric point.

All tested systems gradually produce the upper layers of the materials less suitable to resist the assault of plaque bacteria as time passed. The 3M coarse and medium grain Disks are very abrasive and for this reason the surface of the materials is ill-shaped. Those disks with fine and extra fine grain, smooth the tracks left by previous disks. As they have been always used according to their decreasing granulometry, the disks are used only for removing small composite pieces in excess and to improve micromorphology of the restauration. The "Gommini" are less abrasive than Disks. In a few minutes and often with only one step they produce a much regular and polished fillings surface.

The "Gommini" have a preference when the last photopolymerization has left a regular layer, with a very good micromorphology. Actually, "Gommini" do not remove much material, but they continue to smooth the outline of the reconstruction. Disks are not classified as being of first quality in the finishing of composites and compomers.