Abstract:

Objective This study aimed to compare the polishing performance of five different glass-ceramic polishing tools on CEREC Blocs ceramic and provide evidence for clinical polishing tool selection. Methods Sixty ceramic specimens were prepared and divided into six groups (n=10). These specimens received different surface treatments, including glazing (group G), polishing with Shofu polishing set, that is, Porcelain Adjustment Kit+CeraMaster (group SF), 3M Sof-Lex^TM Discs (group 3M), TobooM polishing set (group Tob), EVE DIAPRO system (group EVE), and Ivoclar Vivadent OptraFine^® system (group Ivo). Polishing quality was measured with a profilometer, and we selected Ra and Rz values for statistical analysis. Qualitative surface evaluation was performed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results The mean Ra values of each group were as follows: G (0.069 µm±0.008 µm)<3M (0.073 µm±0.009 µm)<SF (0.223 µm±0.025 µm)<Ivo (0.229 µm±0.022 µm)<EVE (0.491 µm±0.093 µm)<Tob (0.763 µm±0.067 µm). No significant difference was observed between G and 3M groups (P>0.05), and SF and Ivo groups (P>0.05), but the remaining treatment groups were significantly different from each other (P<0.05). Statistical results of Rz values were the same as the Ra values, and visual analysis of the images obtained from SEM was consistent with the statistical results. Conclusion The polishing performance of different polishing tools for CEREC Blocs ceramic was different. Sof-Lex^TM Discs achieved the most remarkable performance, which was comparable to that of glazing.

Key words: CEREC Blocs ceramic, polishing, glazing, surface roughness