The Effects of Extraoral Porcelain Polishing Sequences on Surface Roughness and Color of Feldspathic Porcelain

The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface properties and color of porcelain modified by extraoral polishing sequences. Six different surface treatment regimens (diamond burs, self-glaze, overglaze, reglaze, Pearl Surface polishing system, and Diamond Twist SCL) were applied to 60 porcelain disks (n = 10 per group). Profilometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used for the determination of surface roughness (Ra); color changes (deltaE*) were investigated by spectrophotometry. Statistical comparisons were made using analysis of variance, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Pearson correlation coefficient test. Surface treatments significantly affected Ra values (P < .001) but had no effect on color (P > .05). AFM findings were consistent with Ra values. Color did not appear to be correlated with surface roughness (P > .05). The findings concluded that the Pearl Surface system helps to decrease chairside time and may be used as an alternative to overglazing.