Effects of air polishing on surface roughness of dental porcelains

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different air polishing powders on the surface roughness of different types of porcelain materials. Thirty specimens were prepared for each of four porcelain materials. All specimens were polished with a series of aluminium oxide polishing discs (Sof-Lex). Specimens of each of the porcelains were randomly divided into three groups (n=10 per group): Group-C for control, and two groups with different air-powder applications (Group-CP, Cavitron Prophy-Jet and Group-PS, Sirona ProSmile prophylaxis powder). A standard air polishing unit (ProSmileHandly) was used. Surface roughness measurements (Ra) were performed using a profilometer. The data were analysed with a two-way ANOVA, and mean values were compared by the Tukey honestly significant difference test (alpha=0.05). For all porcelain material groups, no significant difference was observed among Group-PS, Group-CP and Group C (p>0.05). Vita MarkII demonstrated statistically significantly less Ra values than the other porcelains tested. The highest Ra value was observed in Vita VMK95. Air polishing applications were not increased the surface roughness for porcelain materials tested.