Wear and surface roughness of current prosthetic composites after toothbrush/dentifrice abrasion

Statement of problem. Surface changes of prosthetic composites caused by to othbrushing are known, although composite materials have been improved and are now widely used for various kinds of prosthetic restorations. Purpose. This study evaluated the influence of toothbrushing on abrasive we ar and surface roughness of current prosthetic composites. Material and methods. Seven composite materials (Artglass, Asis, Cesead II, Conquest Sculpture, Estenia, Infis, and Targis) were assessed, and a machi nable ceramic material (Cerec 2 Vitablocs) was used as a reference. Composi te specimens polymerized with their proprietary curing units and sectioned ceramic specimens were stored in water for 14 days, and subsequently subjec ted to toothbrush-dentifrice abrasion. The amount of vertical loss and the surface roughness of each specimen after 20,000 strokes were determined wit h a profilometer. Average values of groups of 5 specimens were compared wit h ANOVA and Duncan new multiple range test. Result. Significantly (P<.05) less wear was observed with respect to the Ta rgis (10.01 mu m; SD = 0.53 mu m) and Estenia. (13.04 mu m; 1.95 mu m) mate rials than for the other composites assessed, whereas Artglass (34.08 mu m; 3.66 mu m) and Conquest Sculpture (31.78 mu m; 4.67 mu m) materials demons trated the most wear. The least surface roughness was exhibited by Conquest Sculpture (Ra, 0.54 mu m; 0.07 mu m) material, and the greatest by Cesead II (1.10 mu m; 0.13 mu m) Ceramic material showed a more wear-resistant (4. 54 mu m; 0.79 mu m) and smoother (0.26 mu m; 0.02 mu m) surface than any of the composite materials. Conclusion. Abrasion and surface roughness of the prosthetic composites cau sed by toothbrushing varied in accordance with thr, material. Type of prost hetic composite significantly influenced the surface condition after toothb rushing.