Color Stability and Surface Roughness of Composite submitted to Different Types and Periods of Finishing/Polishing: Physical Properties of Composites.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of accelerated artificial aging (AAA) on color stability (AE) and surface roughness of composite submitted to different systems and periods of finishing/polishing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Teflon matrix was used to fabricate 60 specimens that were separated into four groups, according to the finishing/polishing system: G1: no polishing; G2: abrasive papers; G3: rubber polishing disks; and G4: G2 + G3. Polishing was performed at three different time intervals (n = 6): immediately (Im), 24 hours (24 hours) and 7 days (7 day) after specimen fabrication. Initial color and surface roughness readouts were taken. Afterwards, specimens were submitted to AAA (480 hours) and new readouts were taken. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that G2 (7 day) presented lower AE, statistically different from G1 and G4 (7 days) (two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Bonferroni, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Regarding roughness, there was no difference among groups and periods. Polishing performed with abrasive papers, 7 days after performing the restoration, promoted less color alteration. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Most of composite restorations are replaced within a period shorter than 5 years due to esthetic failure, and correct finishing and polishing procedures are fundamental to avoid these problems.