Indications

The polishing process is carried out after the finishing and margination steps of the finishing procedure to remove minute scratches from the surface of a restoration and to obtain a smooth, light-reflective luster. The polishing process is also intended to produce a homogeneous surface with minimal microscopic scratches and defects.

Finishing and polishing in restorative dentistry, as illustrated in Figure 11-2, involve the steps of (1) performing gross contouring of the restoration to obtain the desired anatomy, (2) reducing and smoothing the surface roughness and scratches created by finishing instruments in the process of gross reduction and initial polishing, and (3) producing a highly smooth, light-reflective, enamel-like surface.

FIGURE 11-2 Finishing and polishing of dental restorative materials encompass a progression of steps from gross reduction and contouring to final polishing. The triangle representation reflects empirical observations regarding the relative amount of time and effort spent on each segment of the process; the recent increasing emphasis on esthetics and surface polish may result in greater time and attention to final polishing procedures.

(From Jefferies SR: Abrasive finishing and polishing in restorative dentistry: a state-of-the-art review, Dent Clin North Am 51:379, 2007.)

Contraindications

Although there are no specific contraindications to finishing and polishing, use of conventional rubber prophy cups is contraindicated when fine polishing pastes are used with composite resin and ceramic restorative materials. Another consideration is the nature of the filler component of the composite resin and its effect on polishing efficacy. Classic microfills, which contain organic-based fillers, do not benefit from loose-abrasive polishing paste. Use of coated abrasive fine and extra-fine disks appears to be optimal. Likewise, hybrids containing zirconia-based filler systems appear to not benefit as much, in terms of final surface luster, from the application of aluminum oxide–containing, loose-abrasive polishing pastes, compared with barium glass-filler–based hybrid composite resin. The coated abrasive disks appear optimal for final polishing of these zirconia-based hybrid composite resin restoratives.

Coated Abrasive Finishing and Polishing Disks and Strips

Coated abrasive disks and strips are made by bonding abrasive particles into a thin polymer or plastic backing. Finishing and polishing disks are used for gross reduction, contouring, finishing, and polishing restorations. The thin layer of abrasive present on these disks remains effective for a limited period of clinical use, making these disks single use and disposable. Most are coated with an aluminum oxide abrasive, but silicon carbide, garnet, emery, and quartz (cuttle) abrasives are also used. A sequence of grits is applied, starting with a coarser grit and finishing with a superfine grit. Coated abrasive disks and strips are especially useful on flat or convex surfaces. They work well especially on anterior restorations, such as the incisal edges and embrasures, and to a limited extent on posterior composites, especially on interproximal and some buccal and lingual areas. Coated finishing and polishing disks have limited utility on posterior occlusal and concave anterior lingual areas. These areas are better addressed with bonded-abrasive points and cups, including the newer abrasive-impregnated brushes.

A number of studies have documented the effectiveness of coated abrasive disk systems. The particle size distributions for coated abrasive disks vary from 100 to 55 µm for coarse-grade finishing disks to 7 to 8 µm for the ultra- or super-fine grade of finishing disk. Coated abrasive disks can finish and provide pre-polishing and polishing action for a wide range of restorative materials. Some studies indicate that coated abrasive disks are particularly effective for finishing traditional microfill composite resin materials.

Coated abrasive disks are available from a number of manufacturers. Some of these products include the EP Esthetic Polishing System (Brasseler USA, Savannah, Georgia), FlexiDisc (Cosmedent, Inc., Chicago, Illinois), Moore-Flex polishing system and Moore silicon carbide disks (E.C. Moore, Dearborn, Michigan), OptiDisc, (Kerr Corporation, Orange, California), Sof-Lex Finishing and Polishing System (3M ESPE, St Paul, Minnesota), and Super-Snap system (Shofu Dental Corporation, San Marcos, California).

Rubber Wheels, Cups, and Points

Rubber polishing instruments are used to finish, smooth, and/or polish composites. These finishing and polishing instruments are abrasive instruments based on fine or ultra-fine hard, abrasive particles dispersed and held in a softer, elastic matrix. The various configurations of these flexible or rubber finishers and polishers complement the access limitations of the coated abrasive disks for areas such as anterior lingual and posterior occlusal surfaces. Shapes, with varying sizes and dimensions, include disks, wheels, cups, and points. Figure 11-3 depicts the wide range of different types of bonded and elastomeric finishers and polishers available. They are often sold as kits with a variety of shapes and grits to accommodate the differing tooth dimensions and contours seen in clinical practice. Flexible, bonded-abrasive devices are made by molding abrasive particles, of varying particle size and size distribution, in an elastomeric matrix. The elastomeric matrix can be a natural or synthetic rubber, silicone, or other synthetic elastic polymer. One system uses a “urethane” elastic polymer in which a wide range of abrasive particles can be dispersed, including aluminum oxide and diamond.

FIGURE 11-3 The wide diversity of elastomeric or rubberized abrasive rotary finishing and polishing devices. Coarser finishing and pre-polishing devices are on the top row; polishing devices are aligned on the lower row of the illustration.

(From Jefferies SR: Abrasive finishing and polishing in restorative dentistry: a state-of-the-art review, Dent Clin North Am 51:379, 2007.)

Molded or bonded elastomeric abrasives come in a variety of grits, sizes, shapes, and firmnesses. These elastomeric, bonded abrasives are usually molded to a latch-type mandrel for slow-speed handpieces. The mandrels are constructed from both stainless steel and high-strength plastic. Some of these products are fabricated to be reusable after sterilization. The abrasives used within these instruments usually comprise silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, diamond, silicon dioxide, and zirconium oxide. The particle size distributions typically range from about 40 µm for an elastomeric aluminum oxide finishing device to 6 µm for elastomeric “rubber” diamond polishing instruments.

Some of these instruments may be useful in intermediate finishing and in anatomic contouring, as well as pre-polishing. Recent studies have evaluated the efficacy of various bonded, elastomeric abrasive finishers and polishers. Some of the commercial finishing and pre-polishing devices (including complete finishing-polishing systems) evaluated include Astropol (Ivoclar Vivadent, Amherst, New York); Comprepol and Composhine (Diatech, Dental Inc., Charleston, South Carolina); Enhance system (DENTSPLY Caulk, Milford, Delaware); FlexiCups (Cosmedent Inc.); Identoflex Points (Identoflex AG, Buchs, Switzerland); Identoflex (Kerr Corporation); Silicone Points C type (Shofu Dental Coporation).

Other diamond-containing elastomeric or rubber-like rotary devices have been introduced more recently for use in finer pre-polishing or final polishing. There appears to be a range of effectiveness in the ability to produce smooth surfaces on direct restorative materials. Diamond-impregnated polishers are particularly effective, with many one- and two-step polishing device systems reaching surface smoothness comparable to that of multi-step, coated-abrasive disk systems. Such diamond one-step polishers include CompoMaster (Shofu Dental Coporation) and PoGo (DENTSPLY Caulk).

Diamond-containing polishing devices produce more frictional heat than other bonded-abrasive devices; heavy pressure must be avoided to minimize the surface temperature rise. A significant increase in temperature can potentially be deleterious to the restoration as well as the tooth itself.

Loose-Abrasive Polishing Pastes and Rotary Applicator Devices for Loose Abrasives

Loose-abrasive polishing pastes are used extensively in industrial and scientific applications. In the three-body, loose-abrasive polishing process, the loose-abrasive wear induces cutting and plowing on a micrometer and nanometer scale. Following the example from other industrial and scientific disciplines, dentists have used loose-abrasive finishing and polishing compositions for several decades. Loose-abrasive polishing pastes, used in dental applications, are predominantly based on dispersed and suspended ultra-fine aluminum oxide or diamond particles. Aluminum oxide polishing pastes are usually glycerin based, with a mean particle size distribution of 1 µm or less. Diamond polishing pastes also use a glycerin-based material but with a larger mean particle distribution—10 µm to less than 1 µm. Two diamond polishing pastes contain mean sizes of diamond particles on the order of 4 to 6 µm and less than 1 µm. In a study examining the surface morphology and smoothness of the transition from a glass-ceramic insert to a bonded composite resin interface, samples finished with a sequence of progressively smoother diamond abrasive finishing burs (45 µm, 25 µm, and 10 µm), followed by polishing with first a 4- to 6-µm–grit diamond polishing paste and then a sub-micron diamond polishing paste, exhibited the smoothest transition from composite resin to insert. Of perhaps equal importance, studies and research findings have indicated that the mode of application and the structure and the composition of the applicator device can be as important as the composition of the paste used in the polishing procedure. Although the commonly used method for applying polishing paste is the flexible rubber prophy cup, surface roughness data strongly suggest that such a mode of application results in increased surface roughness, or at best no improvement in surface smoothness. On the other hand, use of soft foam or felt applicators can significantly improve the efficacy of loose-abrasive polishing paste, especially those pastes containing aluminum oxide as the abrasive agent. Surface roughness decreased by 50% when a 1-µm aluminum oxide polishing paste was applied with a porous synthetic foam cup (R_a ≅ 0.10),* as compared with application of the same paste with a conventional rubber prophy cup (R_a ≅ 0.20).

Figure 11-4 depicts visually the wide range of types and sizes of both felt and foam polishing paste applicators that are best for loose-abrasive polishing of dental restorations. These applicators can be used with both aluminum oxide–based and diamond-based polishing pastes.

FIGURE 11-4 Synthetic and natural foam or felted polishing paste rotary applicators provide for a more efficacious and efficient final polishing step using loose-abrasive polishing pastes. Synthetic and natural felt applicators appear on the left and center of the photograph; synthetic foam cup applicator appears on the far right.

(From Jefferies SR: Abrasive finishing and polishing in restorative dentistry: a state-of-the-art review, Dent Clin North Am 51:379, 2007.)

The technique or mode of application of the polishing paste is also critical. Based on polishing applications in the scientific and industrial fields, it is recommended to frequently renew the pad (with fresh polishing paste) and to keep it always wet in order to avoid crystallization of the colloidal contaminants (such as silica), which can produce scratches. In fact, polishing pastes can probably act both in a more aggressive, pre-polishing or finishing mode when applied in a dry, anhydrous condition and in a polishing mode with the addition of water, facilitating finer abrasive action at nanometer levels on the treated surface. In this mode, polishing pastes tend to produce greater specular reflectance, which in turn produces a higher visual surface gloss.

With respect to the comparative efficacy of polishing pastes as a method for final polishing of composite resins, several investigations report favorable results in producing highly smooth, light-reflective surfaces. These studies involved the use of both conventional diamond-stylus contact profilometry and non-contact, three-dimensional surface profile analysis. A differential benefit of polishing paste on various restorative materials has also been noted, with optimal benefits on a sub-micron, highly filled hybrid material and surface smoothness equivalent to several commercially available bonded-abrasive diamond polishing instruments (without the use of polishing paste). The benefit of using a loose-abrasive, aluminum oxide polishing paste after using sequential, aluminum oxide–coated abrasive disks for finishing and pre-polishing has also been noted. One investigation has demonstrated that sequentially applied aluminum oxide polishing pastes produce a visually smooth and light-reflective surface on microfill and small-particle hybrid composites, directly after the sequential use of 12- and 30- to 40-fluted carbide finishing burs. With very careful technique, a finishing-polishing sequence from multi-fluted carbide burs to sequential polishing pastes is feasible. It is advisable to introduce intermediate finishing and pre-polishing devices (coated disks; rubber-like, bonded abrasives) between high-speed contouring-finishing burs and diamonds before applying polishing pastes for both composite and porcelain restorative materials.

Current Best Approach

Although the pursuit of a one-step polishing device has been a major focus in product development in this area, optimal polishing and surface preparation involves multiple devices, moving from more aggressive or abrasive instruments to finer, less abrasive instruments or materials. Before the polishing steps, gross and intermediate deduction and finishing instruments ranging from fine and extra-fine micron diamonds, multi-fluted carbide finishing burs, and bonded-abrasive, rubberized finishing devices—applied in the that sequential order—are used. Optimal polishing is then obtained by sequential application of 1- and 0.3-micron aluminum oxide polishing pastes, applied with a felt or synthetic foam cup or rotary application device. An alternative approach involves the use of an elastomeric diamond polishing disk, cup, or point, which may be used exclusively or in a sequence before application of polishing pastes.

Scientific and Technological Elements

The recent innovations in polishing have included the introduction of alternatives to rubber cups for the application of polishing pastes. These include felt and synthetic foam devices. In addition, numerous diamond-based, flexible, bonded-abrasive polishing devices are now available as alternatives to loose-abrasive polishing pastes.

Artistic Elements

Optimal finishing and polishing procedures can produce the highly light-reflective, enamel-like surface that is required for optimal esthetics. One major objective of the pre-polishing and final polishing steps is to achieve a surface reflectance and appearance similar to that of natural enamel. The average surface roughness (R_a) of human enamel polished with 1200-grit aluminum oxide rotary polishing disks ranges from 0.05 to 0.03 µm—a very high level of surface smoothness. For a light reflectivity similar to that of native tooth enamel on the surface of a composite resin restorative, the final average surface roughness (R_a value) of a composite resin needs to be below an R_a value of 0.15 µm (traditional microfills), and preferably at or below 0.12 µm for sub-micron hybrid composite resins.

Preparation

It is important to use and evaluate a number of finishing and polishing devices to determine the optimal number, proper sequence of instruments and devices, and mode of application.

Procedure

Always consult literature references and review articles. Finishing and polishing procedures involve an orderly sequence of steps that progressively refine and smooth scratches and defects introduced during the initial gross reduction step. With respect to gross reduction of composite resin materials, it is now generally accepted that fine and extra-fine finishing diamonds are used first, followed by carbide multi-fluted finishing burs. The next step of intermediate finishing is a critical bridge between gross reduction and final polishing. Commonly used intermediate finishing and pre-polishing devices include rubber-like, elastomeric bonded abrasive, in cup, disk, and point configurations. Medium, fine, and extra-fine coated abrasive disks from various manufacturers also provide intermediate finishing options, especially for facial and interproximal embrasure locations. After use of one to three of these various intermediate finishing devices, the next step is final polishing of the restoration. The specific steps and procedure for final polishing will be considered in the case presentation later. Nevertheless, the practitioner needs to experiment at the bench with various finishing and polishing devices and the composite resin and ceramic restorative materials used in routine clinical practice. It is advisable to practice with various devices on cured samples of various restorative materials to work out the efficient used and sequence of these devices and products.

Recent New Technology in the Realm of Dental Finishing and Polishing

Although most new products in the dental finishing and polishing area are incremental improvements in existing products, new designs or abrasive compositions periodically appear.

Abrasive-Impregnated Brushes and Felt Devices

Abrasive-impregnated, latch-type polishing brushes were introduced to the profession in the late 1990s. These polishing brushes are provided in several shapes (pointed; cup shaped), with various types of polymer “bristles” impregnated with different abrasive polishing particles. The brushes are intended to reach into the grooves, fissures, and interproximal areas of ceramic and resin composite restorations, areas that cannot be reached with other finishing or polishing devices without unintentionally removing anatomic grooves, fissures, and contours. Several of these brushes are depicted in Figure 11-5. Aschmann and colleagues (U.S. Patent 6,312,257) describe a “brush for surface treatments in restorative dentistry [that] comprises one or several lamellar abrasive elements.” Dubbe and colleagues (U.S. Patent 6,554,614) describe “a brush for a dental handpiece … wherein at least some of the bristles comprise an elastomeric material and a number of abrasive particles distributed throughout the elastomeric material.” The particulate abrasive used in the Sof-Lex Brush (3M ESPE, St Paul, Minnesota) is aluminum oxide.

FIGURE 11-5 A recent technologic development in restorative polishing involves abrasive-impregnated brushes, which are depicted in this photograph. The three abrasive brushes from left to right contain diamond particles as the abrasive. The brush on the far right contains silicon carbide.

(From Jefferies SR: Abrasive finishing and polishing in restorative dentistry: a state-of-the-art review, Dent Clin North Am 51:379, 2007.)

A precursor to this specific abrasive-impregnated brush technology was the diamond-impregnated felt wheel for polishing hybrid composite resin. These wheels effectively smooth the surface of a hybrid composite resin after initial finishing with various sequences of high-speed diamond burs, tungsten carbide finishing burs, or combinations of diamond and carbide finishing burs. An early report on these new polishing devices described a new polishing brush composed of rigid polycarbonate fibers impregnated with silicon carbide abrasive particles (Occlubrush, Hawe-Neos; now Kerr Corporation, Orange, California). The investigators found that the silicon carbide–impregnated bristle polishing brush maintained surface texture during the polishing procedure, produced a composite surface smoothness somewhere between that created by a 25-µm finishing diamond and an extra-fine coated abrasive disk, achieved a surface luster subjectively greater than an extra-fine coated abrasive disk (on both composite resin and enamel), could be reused with autoclaving up to 15 to 19 times, and was no more deleterious to enamel surface quality or restoration marginal quality than a 25-µm finishing diamond.

More recently, a few in vitro evaluations have assessed the polishing efficacy of these abrasive-impregnated polishing brushes. Yap and co-workers evaluated the residual surface roughness after using the Sof-Lex Brush and found that it produced a smooth, polished surface comparable to that achieved with a rubber or bonded-abrasive diamond polishing device. Venturini and colleagues evaluated a silicon carbide–impregnated polishing brush (Jiffy Polishing Brush, Ultradent Products, South Jordan, Utah) after finishing and pre-polishing with sequential rubber polishing cups (FlexiCups, Cosmedent, Inc.). They found a high level of surface smoothness in both microfilm and hybrid composite resins after polishing with this impregnated brush using both the immediate and the delayed polishing technique. This polishing device design is interesting in its approach to providing improved “micro-access” for bonded-abrasive polishing. Further laboratory and clinical evaluations are needed.

Rotary Resin-Matrix Stain, Cement, and Composite Removing Devices

Several rotary devices based on a polymer or composite resin binder or matrix, with apparent “controlled” abrasivity, have recently been introduced to selectively remove surface-adherent restorative materials, including composite resin and residual cement (Figure 11-6). Among this new class of abrasive devices is Flashbuster (Danville Materials, San Ramon, California), a latch-type, rotary composite fiber bur that is claimed to remove residual composite with no damage to either enamel or porcelain. It can also remove residual orthodontic adhesive and stains from areas with limited access and can be used in periodontal root planing. The structure of the rod bur consists of fibers and particles embedded in a resin matrix. This yields a working surface that has continuous abrasive power.

FIGURE 11-6 Newer rotary devices have broadened the range of indications for finishing and polishing devices. The white, fiber-impregnated polymer rotary burs have been suggested and indicated for “minimally” abrasive action—that is, stain removal and selective composite removal. The blue rotary bur (right) is suggested for removal and cleaning of temporary cement on tooth preparations before final cementation.

(From Jefferies SR: Abrasive finishing and polishing in restorative dentistry: a state-of-the-art review, Dent Clin North Am 51:379, 2007.)

It can be used for cleaning and polishing the surface of teeth and/or composite materials of dental fillings. The embedded fibers are made from a glass enriched with zirconium oxide, making the instrument highly resistant to alkaline and acidic agents and detectable by electromagnetic radiation.

OptiClean (Kerr Corporation) is a latch-type rotary bur composed of aromatic polyamide containing 40-µm aluminum oxide. OptiClean is intended for the removal of temporary cement and debris on tooth preparations before final cementation. Therefore it replaces other methods of preparation surface cleaning, such as a rubber cup and pumice or the use of hand instruments.

Both of these products await further independent studies and evaluations before their performance can be fully understood.

Patient History

The patient is treatment planned to receive a class I posterior occlusal composite resin restoration on the lower right second molar.

Relevant Conditions

Technique photos demonstrate both the use of diamond, bonded-abrasive devices and the application of loose-abrasive polishing pastes, after initial gross reduction and finishing procedures.

Treatment Planning Process

Small to moderately sized class I occlusal cavity preparations are appropriate for restoration with composite resin materials. This patient was treatment planned for caries excavation and cavity preparation for an occlusal, Class I composite involving this lower second molar. Size of the restoration is a critical consideration in the use of direct placement composite resin in molar teeth, especially lower second molar teeth. The size of this cavity preparation is appropriate for the use of direct composite resin.

Clinical Step by Step