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Cleaning Efficacy of Air Polishing on Tobacco-Stained Resin Composite: An In-Vitro Study
Lukas Sigwart1, Vera Wiesmüller1, Ines Kapferer-Seebacher1
1Department of Dental and Oral Medicine and Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, University Hospital for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy of air-polishing on color change and surface roughness of resin composite and enamel specimens after standardized cigarette smoke exposure.
Methods:
Sixty composite/enamel specimens were exposed daily to cigarette smoke in an automated chamber over four 14-day cycles (five cigarettes/day). After each cycle, specimens were cleaned using air-polishing with erythritol or sodium bicarbonate powder, or a rubber cup and pumice (control). Color changes (ΔE) were assessed spectrophotometrically, and surface roughness was measured profilometrically before and after each cycle.
Results:
All cleaning methods significantly reduced tobacco staining on composite and enamel; however, none restored the original color. After four cycles, median [IQR] ΔE values for resin composites did not differ significantly among groups (erythritol: 26.17 [21.62-27.52]; sodium bicarbonate: 10.28 [7.44-27.77]; control: 24.56 [19.22-26.77]; p > 0.05). Surface roughness increased significantly in all groups, with the greatest increase following sodium bicarbonate air-polishing (p < 0.05). Luting gap roughness increased significantly with sodium bicarbonate in comparison with erythritol and the control group (p < 0.001). Repeated air-polishing did not promote further tobacco stain accumulation.
Conclusions:
Erythritol air-polishing effectively reduced discoloration with minimal surface alteration, whereas sodium bicarbonate caused significant roughening.
Clinical Significance:
Cigarette smoke causes clinically perceptible composite discoloration that cannot be completely eliminated. Erythritol represents a safer polishing option than sodium bicarbonate.
