Salivary, acidic and enzymatic degradation of resin composite subjected to different finishing and polishing systems.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of different finishing and polishing systems on the surface roughness of a resin composite subjected to simulated saliva-, acid-, and enzyme-induced degradation.

Methods: 160 specimens (n= 40) were fabricated with Filtek Z350 XT nanofilled composite and analyzed for average surface roughness (Ra). The specimens were finished and polished using: AD - Al₂O₃-impreginated rubberized discs (medium, fine, and superfine grit, Sof-Lex); SD - silicon carbide and Al₂O₃-impregnated rubberized discs (coarse, medium and fine grit, Jiffy,); MB - 12- and 30-multiblade burs. The control group (CT) (n= 40) comprised specimens with a Mylar-strip-created surface. Specimens from each group were immersed in 1 mL of one of the degradation methods (n= 10): artificial saliva (ArS: pH 6.75), cariogenic challenge (CaC: pH 4.3), erosive challenge (ErC: 0.05M citric acid, pH 2.3) or enzymatic challenge (EzC: artificial saliva with 700 µg/mL of albumin, pH 6.75). The immersion period simulated a time frame of 180 days. Ra measurements were also performed at the post-polishing and post-degradation time points. The data were evaluated by three-way ANOVA for repeated measures and the Tukey tests.

Results: There was significant interaction between the finishing/polishing system and the degradation method (P= 0.001). AD presented the greatest smoothness, followed by SD. After degradation, CT, AD and SD groups became significantly rougher, but not the MB group, which presented no difference in roughness before or after degradation. CT and AD groups showed greater roughness in CaC, ErC and EzC than in ArS. The SD group showed no difference in roughness when the specimens were polished with CaC, EzC or ArS, but those treated with ErC had greater roughness. In the MB group, the lower roughness values were found after using CaC and EzC, while the higher values were found using ErC or ArS.

Clinical significance: As far as degradation resistance of nanofilled composite to hydrolysis, bacterial and dietary acids and enzymatic reactions is concerned, restorations that had been finished and polished with Al₂O₃-impregnated discs had the smoothest surfaces.