Evaluation of enamel surface roughness after removal of orthodontic composite resin remnants by two different approaches

After fixed orthodontic treatment, it is necessary to remove residual resin. Currently, no technique removes composite resin remnants without affecting the enamel surface. The aim of this study was to evaluate enamel surface roughness after removal of composite resin remnants with two different methods.
A total of 12 premolars were embedded in acrylic resin with their buccal surface out of the acrylic resin. The baseline roughness of the buccal surface enamel was evaluated by a profilometer and the three surface parameters (Rt, Rq and Ra) were recorded. Composite resin was bonded on the mid-buccal enamel surface in two equal and distinct parts on the right (Tc) and left (Fg) sides. TC composite resin was removed with tungsten carbide bur in a low-speed handpiece and Fg composite resin was removed with fiberglass epoxy resin bur in a low-speed handpiece. The surface roughness was evaluated again and the three parameters were recorded. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA using SPSS 21 (α = 0.05).
Analysis of parameters Ra (average roughness) and Rq (root mean square) indicated significant differences between Fg and pre-bonding surface with the least value (p value 0.05); however, the differences were significant in relation to Tc surface (p value Fiberglass and tungsten carbide burs created less and more enamel surface roughness, respectively, compared to pre-bonding conditions.