In Vitro Effects of Sof-Lex, Eve, and Astropol Polishing Systems on Composite Resin Surface Roughness after Aging

Surface roughness is one of the important properties of composite restorations. Different polishing systems are used to provide an appropriate composite restoration surface. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Sof-Lex, Eve, and Astropol polishing systems on composite resin surface roughness after aging. In this in vitro study, 36 composite discs (8×2mm) were fabricated. The specimens were randomly divided into three groups (N=12) for polishing with (I) Sof-Lex (3M ESPE), (II) Eve (Ernst Vetter GmbH), and (III) Astropol (Ivoclar/Vivadent) polishing systems. The specimens were then subjected to thermocycling. Surface roughness of the specimens was measured before and after polishing, and after thermocycling by a contact profilometer. Repeated Measures ANOVA was used to analyze the data (α=0.05). Although Astropol showed slightly higher surface roughness in comparison to Sof-Lex and Eve, the level of surface roughness before and after polishing and after aging was not significantly different among the three polishing systems (P=0.704). Within the limitations of this in vitro study, Sof-Lex, Eve, and Astropol showed similar acceptable results with regard to composite resin surface roughness.