Effect of simplified or multi-step polishing techniques on roughness and color stability of resin composites.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of simplified or multi-step polishing techniques on the roughness, color, and susceptibility to staining of different resin composites.

Methods: Discs (Ø6 mm x 2 mm) were obtained from different resin composites [nanofilled (Z350XT), suprananofilled (Estelite Omega), and nanohybrid (Forma)]. The specimens (n= 15) were submitted to a simplified protocol using abrasive discs (Sof-Lex) and spiral discs (Diacomp Plus Twist), or a multi-step protocol using abrasive discs (Sof-Lex), abrasive points (Jiffy), silicon carbide brush and felt disc with diamond pastes (Diamond Polish). The specimens were evaluated initially for roughness (Ra) and color (CIEL*a*b*, CIEDE 2000), after completing the polishing protocol, and after exposure to a coffee solution (pH= 5.01). The data were analyzed according to the variables, using generalized linear models, and the Friedman, Nemenyi, Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn, and Mann-Whitney tests (α= 0.05).

Results: The nanohybrid resin composite showed an increase in Ra following use of both polishing methods (P= 0.038). Both techniques promoted an increase in L* values after polishing; however, the general color changes (ΔEab and ΔE₀₀) were greater after the multi-step polishing (P< 0.05). After immersion in coffee, the multi-step polished groups of the nanohybrid and suprananofilled resin composite showed higher L* values than the simplified polishing groups (P= 0.023), and the nanofilled resin composite showed higher ΔEab and ΔE₀₀ values than the other resin composites, regardless of the polishing technique (P< 0.05).

Clinical significance: The choice of the resin composite had a greater effect on roughness, color stability and susceptibility to staining than the polishing technique. However, luminosity after coffee staining was higher with the multi-step polishing technique.