Comparison of wet and dry finishing of resin composites with aluminum oxide discs

Samples of four composites (Herculite, Visio-Dispers, Silux, and Prisma-Fil) were finished with aluminum-oxide discs either wet or dry so that the effects of these two finishing procedures could be compared. The samples were evaluated for surface smoothness, color stability, and surface hardness. Surface smoothness was determined immediately after a sample was finished with a profilometer. Knoop hardness values were determined for each sample immediately after being finished and once a week for five weeks. Color stability was evaluated with a tristimulus colorimeter by the color of each sample being finished and once a week for five weeks. When surface smoothness was compared between the wet- and dry-finished samples, there was no significant difference between Prisma-Fil, Silux, or Herculite; however, the wet-finished Visio-Dispers was significantly rougher than the dry-finished. When surface hardness was compared, there was no significant difference in hardness values between the wet and dry samples when compared over time. When changes in color were evaluated, only Visio-Dispers had no significant change in color for both the wet- and dry-finished samples over the five-week evaluation period. Dry finishing of only one composite (Silux) produced a significant change in color. Dry finishing of composites was superior or equal to wet finishing in all tests except for the color change in Silux.