The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of polishing procedures on the color stability of different types of composites after aging. Forty disk-shaped specimens (Ø10×2 mm) were prepared for each composite resin type (an ormocer, a packable, a nanohybrid, and a microhybrid) for a total of 160 specimens. Each composite group was divided into four subgroups according to polishing method (n=10): control (no finishing and polishing), polishing disk, polishing wheel, and glaze material. Color parameters (L*, a*, and b*) and surface roughness were measured before and after accelerated aging. Of the polishing methods, glazed specimens showed the lowest color change (∆E*), ∆L*, and ∆b* values (p<0.05). Of the composite resins, the microhybrid composite showed the lowest ∆E* value, whereas the ormocer showed the highest (p<0.05). For all composite types, the surface roughness of their control groups decreased after aging (p<0.05). In conclusion, all composite resins showed color changes after accelerated aging, with the use of glaze material resulting in the lowest color change.

There were significant interactions between finishing/polishing methods and composite types for surface roughness. The results give clinicians some flexibility in choosing appropriate finishing/polishing techniques for each resin composite material. (J Esthet Restor Dent 28:247-261, 2016).

The aim of this in-vitro study was to compare the performance of laser-based (DIAGNOdent, KaVo, Biberach, Germany) and LED-based (Midwest Caries I.D., DENTSPLY Professional, New York, USA) caries detectors in the detection of occlusal caries in permanent molars. The study consisted of 129 visually sound or non-cavitated pits or fissures in 82 extracted permanent human molar teeth. Two trained examiners used the laser-based and LED-based caries detectors to examine the fissures for caries. The teeth were then sectioned at the surfaces suspected of containing occlusal caries and histologically evaluated using stereomicroscopy as a gold standard. Inter-examiner reliability of the caries detector examination was assessed using Cohen's Kappa statistics. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in diagnosing occlusal caries using the two devices were calculated according to appropriate cut-off scores. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were also determined to compare the diagnostic performance of the devices in occlusal caries diagnosis. The cut-off level of significance was taken as p = 0.005. Cohen's Kappa showed substantial agreement for the laser-based caries detector (0.74), and almost perfect agreement for the LED-based (0.89) caries detector. The specificity of the laser-based device varied from 0.49 to 0.97 at T1 and T2. Its sensitivity varied from 0.33 to 0.65 at T1 and T2. The specificity of the LED-based device varied from 0.48 to 0.56 at T1 and T2. Its sensitivity varied from 0.65 to 0.84 at T1 and from 0.80 to 0.84 at T2. Taking the limitations of the current study into consideration, the DIAGNOdent laser pen was more accurate in determining when teeth were free of occlusal caries than was the Midwest Caries I.D. LED-based device, although the Midwest Caries I.D. device more often revealed the presence of occlusal caries than did the DIAGNOdent pen.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different finishing-polishing techniques on the color stability and surface roughness of various anterior restorative materials after staining. A composite, a compomer, and a resin-modified glass ionomer were used to prepare 120 specimens. Specimens were divided into subgroups: polishing discs, liquid polishing material, aluminium oxidebonded discs, and control. The specimens were stained in a coffee solution. Color parameters (L*a*b*) and surface roughness before and after staining were measured. The color was affected by the material type (p<0.05) and finishing-polishing systems (p<0.05). The composite showed the highest color stability; however, the color differences of all groups were visible even to the nonskilled operator.The Ra values did not significantly change after staining for any of the restorative groups (p>0.05). The finishing-polishing systems had an effect on color after storing in staining solution.

Objectives:This study aimed to evaluate the extent of microleakage of a single type of composite resin (Clearfil Majesty Posterior, Kuraray, Osaka, Japan) following different preheating procedures in Class V cavities prepared with a diamond bur or Er:YAG (erbium: yttrium aluminum garnet) laser.Methods:The study randomly divided 72 permanent molar teeth divided into eight groups (n = 9): G1: Diamond bur–unheated composite resin (room temperature-24 ºC); G2: Diamond bur–composite preheated to 37 ºC; G3: Diamond bur–composite preheated to 54 ºC; G4: Diamond bur–composite preheated to 68 ºC; G5: Er:YAG laser–unheated composite resin (room temperature-24 ºC); G6: Er:YAG laser–composite preheated to 37 ºC; G7: Er:YAG laser–composite preheated to 54 ºC; and G8: Er:YAG laser–composite preheated to 68 ºC. The specimens were subjected to a thermal cycling regimen of 5000 cycles between 5 and 55 ºC; then they were immersed in a solution of 0.5% basic fuchsin dye for 24 hours. The dyed specimens were sectioned in the buccolingual direction and dye penetration was scored in a blinded manner using a five-point qualitative scale. Microleakage scores were analyzed with the Kruskall-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, and Wilcoxon tests.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the microleakages of composite applied to cavities prepared by either the Er:YAG laser or diamond bur (P>.05). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the enamel and dentin in all restorations (P<.001). However, there were no significant differences among the preheated groups (P>.05).Conclusions:For all groups, microleakage values were higher at gingival margins than at occlusal margins. The use of the Er:YAG laser at different preheating procedures did not influence the marginal sealing in Class V composite resin restorations.