Objective: This aims to evaluate the efficiency of three different powered interproximal enamel reduction (IER) systems and to assess enamel roughness before and after polishing using different polishing times.
Material and methods: Four metal strips of the G5 ProLign Set (swissdentacare, SDC, Grancia, Switzerland), four segmental discs of the ASR-Set 4594 and two sonic tips of the SonicLine Set (both Gebr. Basseler GmbH & Co. KG, Komet, Lemgo, Germany) were evaluated. Human extracted incisors served as the medium. Enamel reduction was determined in five intervals of 15 s each. Polishing was performed for 15 and 30 s using the manufacturers' recommended polishing systems. Enamel roughness (Ra) was quantitatively assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).
Results: Significant differences in terms of enamel reduction were found among the working ends of all tested systems. The time needed to remove 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mm of enamel was determined. Surface analysis showed significantly higher mean Ra values for nine out of ten working ends before polishing. This was still the case for five working ends after 15 s and for two after 30 s of polishing.
Conclusion: The graining and the system used have a significant influence on enamel reduction. The time needed for polishing depends on the last working end used; a polishing time of 30 s is not always appropriate.
Clinical relevance: Knowledge about the cutting efficiency of powered IER working ends might help the clinician to estimate better the amount of enamel reduction during the stripping process.
Keywords: Cutting efficiency; Enamel roughness; Enamel surface; Interproximal enamel reduction; Powered IER systems.