Comparative Evaluation of Contact Angle and Surface Roughness in Resin Based Dental Composites After Polishing – An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Aim The aim of the present study was to compare and evaluate contact angle and surface roughness of two resin based dental composites with different filler composition after finishing and polishing.Methodology Twenty four composite cylinders measuring 6x2 mm were made using Teflon moulds Group 1 n12 ndash Ivoclar tetric N ceram nanohybrid Group 2 n12 - Ivoclar te Econom plus. Composite surfaces were polished with silicon carbide abrasives and subjected to surface roughness analysis using a stylus profilometer and contact angle measurement using goniometer.Results The surface roughness was significantly higher in Group 2 than the Group 1 Ra and Rq ndash p lt0.001. There was no statistically significant difference in the contact angle values between Group 1 and Group 2 p0.582. Conclusion Finishing and polishing of composites provide better surface characteristics and optimal surface wettability in both nanohybrid and microhybrid composites. Nanohybrid composites were found to have lower surface roughness than microhybrid composites.