Effect of Prophylaxis Pastes on Surface Roughness of Direct and Indirect Restorative Materials

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 2 prophylaxis pastes on surface roughness of composites cured with halogen or additionally post-cured, and to compare it with porcelain. Materials and Methods: 42 specimens with 2 mm in thickness and 8 mm in diameter from the composites Miris (M; Coltene) and Filtek Z250 (Z250; 3M ESPE) were polymerized (Optilux 501; Kerr) in polyethylene moulds. Then, the specimens from each group were randomly divided in 2 groups 21 specimens each, and these specimens were post-cured 7 minutes at 120oC with simultaneous light exposure (Coltene D.I-500) (MP; Z250P). After 24 hours storage at 37oC, the specimens were polished with 2500 grit SiC paper, followed by 1μm diamond paste. 21 porcelain specimens (E;Empress II; Ivoclar) were prepared with the same diameter and thickness as the composites, and were glazed. Prophylaxis pastes Detartrine (D; Septodont) and Topex (T; Sultan) were applied with brush to the composite and porcelain specimens for 12 seconds, by renewing them every 6 seconds. Specimens which did not exposed to prophylaxis procedures were used as control groups (n=7). The mean surface roughness (Ra; μm) of the control group specimens and prophylaxis pastes Detartrine (n=7) and Topex (n=7) applied groups was determined using a surface profilometer (Perthometer M1;Mahr). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. Results: For all materials, except glazed porcelain, prophylaxis pastes resulted in a significant surface roughening when compared to the control group (p<0.05); however, the differences between the 2 prophylaxis pastes were not significant (p>0.05). There was not any significant difference between the Detartrine applied groups in all materials (p>0.05), though between Topex applied groups the least surface roughness was obtained with MPT and ET (p<0.05). Conclusion: Prophylaxis pastes increased surface roughness of composites, whereas they did not have any effect on porcelain. Post-curing did not affect the surface roughness of Filtek Z250; however, Miris responded positively in the Topex prophylaxis paste applied group.