Assessing the Effect of Different Polishing Methods of Three Common Composite Resins on the Contact Angle of Distilled Water

Wettability of solids is an important surface characteristic that has an inverse relationship with contact angle of the liquid with surface. Since the final polishing of composite resin restorations affects the surface characteristics such as contact angle and wettability, this study evaluated the effect of different composite resin polishing methods on contact angle of distilled water.
In this in vitro study 45 composite resin samples (Filtek Z350, Filtek Z100 and Micro Rod Fiber) were prepared, measuring 0.5 cm in height and 1 cm in diameter, by compressing composite resin samples in a round disk between two glass slabs. All the samples were cured for 40 seconds. One-third of the samples in each group were not polished, one-third were polished with a mullet and one-third with a disk. One drop of distilled water was placed on the surface and contact angle was measured by a digital camera after preparing the surfaces as described above. For contact angle measurement, Corel Draw software program version X5 was used. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Duncan test (α = 0.05).
There were significant differences between polishing methods (p value 0.05).
The maximum contact angle was observed in group with no polishing, followed by the group polished by disks. Highly polished surfaces will give rise to a greater contact angle, less wettability and more clinical longevity.