The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different polishing techniques on the surface roughness and gloss of various composites. A total of 360 composite cylinders (6 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness) were made using a silicone matrix and 1 of the following 6 restorative materials (n = 60): Admira Fusion, GrandioSO, Filtek Supreme, Filtek Z250, TPH Spectra ST, and Herculite Classic. The composite specimens were cured and then immersed in water for 24 hours. The baseline roughness was standardized with 600-grit silicon carbide paper used in a polishing device for 30 seconds. The specimens were divided into 6 subgroups (n = 10) according to the polishing technique: abrasive discs (Sof-Lex); abrasive discs (Sof-Lex) and diamond paste (Diamond Excel); abrasive rubber point (Dimanto); silicon carbide polishing brush (OptiShine); rubber spiral wheels (Sof-Lex Spiral Wheels - Diamond Polishing System); or sequential application of polishing pastes (Diamond ACI and ACII). After polishing was completed, the surface roughness and gloss were measured, and the data underwent 2-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test (P < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed for roughness (P < 0.001) and gloss (P < 0.001) for both factors analyzed (composite material and polishing technique). Admira Fusion exhibited the highest roughness and lowest gloss values of all of the composites, and Filtek Supreme exhibited the lowest roughness and highest gloss values. Sof-Lex Spiral Wheels and OptiShine polishing brush exhibited lower roughness and higher gloss than the other polishing techniques. The effects of different polishing techniques were material dependent, but all systems tested provided clinically acceptable results. The use of a single polishing technique for all types of composite materials might result in undesirable clinical outcomes.
Keywords: composite; dental materials; esthetics; finishing; polishing.