Purpose: The influence of three dental abrasives on the surface roughness, glossiness, and color of titanium (Ti) after mechanical polishing was investigated.
Methods: The specimens were divided into groups, referred to as SM, SR, and TP, to distinguish the different polishing processes. SM: rubber polishing using a rubber point containing SiC abrasive particles at 20,000 rpm, followed by gloss polishing; SR: rubber polishing using a rubber point containing Al2O3 abrasive particles at 20,000 rpm, followed by gloss polishing; TP: rubber polishing using a rubber point containing TiO2 abrasive particles at 6,000 rpm, followed by gloss polishing. Gloss polishing was carried out at 10,000 rpm using a leather buffing wheel. Measurements to evaluate the surface conditions of Ti were performed after each polishing process.
Results: There were no significant differences in the Ra and glossiness values between the SM and TP groups; these specimens were not as smooth and glossy as the SR group. The SM group showed relatively high values of lightness and chroma after gloss polishing.
Conclusion: Rubber polishing with abrasives containing SiC or TiO2 particles before gloss polishing did not achieve appropriate surface conditions on Ti.
Keywords: color; dental abrasives; glossiness; surface roughness; titanium.