Wear and surface roughness of current prosthetic composites after toothbrush/dentifrice abrasion

Surface changes of prosthetic composites caused by toothbrushing are known, although composite materials have been improved and are now widely used for various kinds of prosthetic restorations.

This study evaluated the influence of toothbrushing on abrasive wear and surface roughness of current prosthetic composites.

Seven composite materials (Artglass, Axis, Cesead II, Conquest Sculpture, Estenia, Infis, and Targis) were assessed, and a machinable ceramic material (Cerec 2 Vitablocs) was used as a reference. Composite specimens polymerized with their proprietary curing units and sectioned ceramic specimens were stored in water for 14 days, and subsequently subjected to toothbrush-dentifrice abrasion. The amount of vertical loss and the surface roughness of each specimen after 20,000 strokes were determined with a profilometer. Average values of groups of 5 specimens were compared with ANOVA and Duncan new multiple range test.

Significantly (P < .05) less wear was observed with respect to the Targis (10.01 microm; SD = 0.53 microm) and Estenia (13.04 microm; 1.95 microm) materials than for the other composites assessed, whereas Artglass (34.08 microm; 3.66 microm) and Conquest Sculpture (31.78 microm; 4.67 microm) materials demonstrated the most wear. The least surface roughness was exhibited by Conquest Sculpture (Ra, 0.54 microm; 0.07 microm) material, and the greatest by Cesead II (1.10 microm; 0.13 microm). Ceramic material showed a more wear-resistant (4.54 microm; 0.79 microm) and smoother (0.26 microm; 0.02 microm) surface than any of the composite materials.

Abrasion and surface roughness of the prosthetic composites caused by toothbrushing varied in accordance with the material. Type of prosthetic composite significantly influenced the surface condition after toothbrushing.