Finishing and Polishing Porcelain Surfaces Chairside
Finishing and Polishing Porcelain Surfaces Chairside
Finishing and Polishing Porcelain Surfaces Chairside
Introduction
Polished surfaces
Restorative material
Ever since porcelain was introduced as a restorative
material, it has been accepted that the best surface for
porcelain is a high-gloss glaze, which is effective by sealing
open pores in the porcelain surface (Figure 1). The smooth
surface produced by such a glaze is widely regarded as
having the following positive effects:
Reduced wear of the opposing dentition (in comparison
to unglazed porcelain)
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Clinical
Figure 1a: Here upper and lower anterior veneers have been placed
and yet gingival inflammation is restricted to two restorations
where glazed surfaces have been damaged during finishing
procedures.
A broad view
Taking a broader view, such studies see also Jagger
(1995a), Jagger (1995b) and Hudson (1995) illustrate the
relative wear of all restorative materials and the importance
of choosing the most appropriate materials for each
particular case. What is clear is that however it is finished,
porcelain is always likely to produce greater opposing tooth
wear (Figure 2) than, say, amalgam, gold or composite, and
in those cases where tooth wear is of concern, porcelain is
unlikely to be the material of choice.
The most practical approach to adopt in the vast majority
of clinical situations involving chairside adjustment of
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Owen et al
Figure 2: The treatment plan for this patient was upper and lower
full arch rehabilitation. The upper arch was completed using full
coverage pressed ceramic crowns anteriorly. However, the patient
failed to have the lower arch work carried out and returned to the
dentist three years later, during which time considerable wear of the
opposing lower teeth had taken place.
Table 1
The relative hardness of restorative materials and abrasive compounds (using Mohs hardness scale)
Restorative materials
Abrasive materials
70
Porcelain
67
Gold alloys
2.5 4
Resin composite
57
Amalgam
45
Diamond
10
Silicon carbide
9 10
Tungsten carbide
Aluminium oxide
Zirconium silicate
7 7.5
Pumice
Owen et al
Table 2
Details of ceramic finishing and polishing systems currently available
Manufacturer
Axis
www.axisdental.com
System name
Delivery system
CeramiPro
Dialite
Briteness
Ivoclar-Vivadent
www.ivoclarvivadent.com
OptraFine
Shofu
www.shofu.com
CeraMaster
Diashine polish
VH intra-oral brush range
VH Technologies
www.vhtechnologies.com
Conclusion
Conventional wisdom holds that all adjusted porcelain
surfaces should ideally be reglazed following chairside
adjustment and prior to cementation.
Current research suggests, however, that this is not
necessarily the case and that in most situations it is
perfectly acceptable to finish and polish the adjusted
restoration, provided that an appropriate polishing system
designed specifically for the purpose is used.
References
Barghi N, Alexander L, Draugh RA (1976) When to glaze
an electron microscope study. J Prosthet Dent 35: 648-53
Bessing C, Wiktorsson A (1983) Comparison of two
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Owen et al
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