The use of confocal microscopy to assess surface roughness of two milled CAD-CAM ceramics following two polishing techniques

Dent Mater. 2007 Jun;23(6):736-41. doi: 10.1016/j.dental.2006.06.012. Epub 2006 Aug 17.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of two polishing techniques on the surface roughness of a commercial and experimental dental ceramic for use in a chairside CAD-CAM system.

Methods: A standard onlay was reproduced fifteen times in each of the two materials. Each stub was retained and examined using confocal microscopy in reflection mode. Five random samples of each were polished with Sof-Lex aluminium oxide discs, five polished with diamond impregnated polishing wheels and five left in the as-machined state. Surface roughness parameters were measured for each material group in each condition and statistical analyses carried out to determine the efficacy of the polishing techniques for each material.

Results: The as-machined surfaces of both materials had a statistically similar surface finish. Polishing with Sof-Lex discs was effective at reducing surface roughness of both materials. Whilst the polishing wheels were effective in reducing surface roughness for the commercial material, there was no statistically significant difference in the surface roughness of the experimental material in the as-machined or wheel polished states.

Significance: Although Sof-Lex discs were effective in reducing surface roughness of the two materials examined in this study, wheel polishing should not be used to reduce surface roughness of the experimental material. This will need to be taken into consideration in any future clinical studies of this material.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum Oxide
  • Ceramics
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Dental Polishing / methods*
  • Dental Porcelain*
  • Dental Prosthesis Design
  • Diamond
  • Inlays
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Vita Mark II
  • Dental Porcelain
  • Diamond
  • Glass ceramics
  • Aluminum Oxide