Effects of 2 polishing techniques and reglazing on the surface roughness of dental porcelain.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 2 polishing systems and reglazing of dental porcelain through a quantitative and qualitative analysis of surface roughness using a stylus profilometer and scanning electron microscope. Fifteen porcelain specimens (10 x 3 x 3 mm) were used. On 1 surface of each block, a layer of glaze was applied, and surface roughness (Ra) was analyzed. All specimens were ground with aluminum oxide sandpaper until the shine was removed and the resulting Ra values were obtained. Afterwards, they were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups (n = 5): Group I (GI), polished with diamond-impregnated rubber wheels; Group II (GII), polished with silicon carbide-impregnated rubber wheels; and Group III (GIII), reglazed firing procedure alone. After the treatments, new Ra measurements were done. Data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey tests at 5%. Comparisons between ground surface and treated surface were made by paired t-test. The ground and treated Ra values (microm) were determined as follows: GI: 0.66 +/- 0.14, 0.35 +/- 0.06; GII: 0.60 +/- 0.04, 0.09 +/- 0.03; and GIII: 0.67 +/- 0.05, 0.75 +/- 0.24. Significant differences were found between the ground and treated values for all groups. After the treatments, all groups differed statistically (P < 0.05). The silicon carbide system re-established the initial surface smoothness, while polishing with diamond-impregnated rubber or reglazing alone were not able to achieve a satisfactory smoothness.