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Comparative evaluation of 2-step and 3-step polishing systems on the surface roughness and flexural strength of
Rawan Abdullah Suliman Alrethia1, Meshal Mohamed Suliman Alghofaili2, Moataz Mohamed Amin Barakat1
1Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.
Aim:
The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the effects of 2-step and 3-step polishing systems on the surface roughness and biaxial flexural strength of lithium disilicate ceramics after grinding.
Settings And Design:
Thirty-two 14 x 1.25 mm lithium disilicate (IPS e.max CAD) discs were divided into four groups ( n = 8): control (unmodified), ground-unpolished, ground-3-step polished (Shofu Zil Master), and ground-2-step polished (Toboom). A profilometer was used to quantify the surface roughness (Ra, µm), and ISO 6872 was followed to calculate the biaxial flexural strength (MPa).
Materials And Methods:
A profilometer was used to quantify the surface roughness (Ra, µm), and ISO 6872 was followed to calculate the biaxial flexural strength (MPa) of all the samples.
Statistical Analysis Used:
The data were analyzed through the IBM SPSS Statistics software package (Version 25.0). One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to check variations among the groups followed by the Tukey's post hoc test (α=.05).
Results:
There were significant differences between the groups in both flexural strength and surface roughness ( P <.001). As compared to the control, the 3-step system (0.43 ± 0.21 µm) provided smoother surfaces than the 2-step system (0.78 ± 0.34 µm). The control group (1696.8 ± 486.9 MPa) and the 3-step group (1500.0 ± 306.2 MPa) had the highest flexural strength, whereas the 2-step group (951.3 ± 121.2 MPa) had the lowest values.
Conclusions:
The flexural strength and surface roughness of ground lithium disilicate were enhanced by both polishing systems; however, the 3-step system performed better and produced outcomes that were on par with unaltered ceramics.
