A comparison of different techniques for finishing and polishing amalgam

Abstract

Three different methods for finishing and polishing amalgam surfaces were studied by determining the roughness (R_a) of specimens at different stages of the procedures. Method I consisted of green stone, followed in sequence by finishing bur and pastes of pumice, powdered chalk, and SnO₂. Method II was similar to method I but included brown and green Shofu polishers after the finishing bur. In method III medium and fine sandpaper and fine cuttle-paper discs were used before the pastes. A dramatic decrease in the R_a values was observed after the specimens had been ground with green stones, finishing burs, and sandpaper discs. Pumice resulted in a further reduction in R_a values. However, no significant differences in R_a values were found between the brown Shofu polisher, the fine cuttle-paper disc, and the different pastes. The lowest R_a value–that is, the highest smoothness–was obtained with green Shofu polisher.

Key Words:

• Dental materials
• in vitro study
• operative dentistry