Visual Gloss
What is the clinically acceptable visible polish threshold.
40-50 GU
What are the coarseness descriptions for the various colors?
Black = Super coarse
Green = Coarse
Blue = Medium
Red = Fine
Yellow = Extra Fine
Does the data support the use of polishing pastes?
Yes - adding a polishing paste as a final step consistently yields better results when combined with a felt applicator and not with the initial polishers
What is one way to quantify dental polish of resins?
GU's = Gloss Units
rating 0-100 evaluated with a "glossmeter"
What are the grit sizes of the various colors?
Black = 180 μm
Green = 150 μm
Blue = 100 μm
Red = 30 μm
Yellow = 15 μm
What is the "Mylar Strip" Paradox
This is not a "polishing method"
- creates the lowest surface roughness scores
- However, visual inspection under a microscope (DOM) revealed these surfaces were actually very uneven and scratched, receiving the worst visual scores
What polish can be achieved with Enhance / PoGo
Enhance / PoGo = 80 GU's
Are diamond burs indicated for polishing resins?
While diamond burs are recommended for re-contouring and re-shaping, they are not indicated for polishing. However diamond impregnated polishers (discs / points / cups) and pastes are indicated for polishing composites.
Maximum threshold for dental restorations to prevent bacterial plaque retention
Maximum surface roughness (Ra) measurement is the maximum threshold for dental restorations to prevent bacterial plaque retention
specifically 0.2 µm, is widely accepted as the maximum threshold
What polish can be achieved with Sof-Lex
Sof-Lex = 50 GU's
Are diamond burs indicated over carbide burs for polishing?
No - Multi-fluted carbide burs cut smoothly and efficiently without pulling material. Diamond burs can gouge the resin when attempting to polish.
What are the correlating GU's for:
- Clinically unacceptable
- Clinically acceptable
- Superior
- Clinically unacceptable = 0-40 GU
- Clinically acceptable = 50-80 GU
- Superior = 90-100 GU