Polishing Techniques for Beauty and Longevity

Today’s dentistry is all about aesthetics. There is an assortment of material choices and techniques that can be employed by the clinician to create extremely lifelike restorations. However, over time, it is often the postoperative care of these restorations that poses a challenge. The dental team, particularly the dental hygienist, plays an invaluable role in the success and longevity of aesthetic restorations, whether it is a single tooth restoration, or an 8- to 10-unit smile design.

POLISHING TRIAGE
First of all, it is imperative that the dental hygienist makes an evaluation regarding the polishing environment and situation, ie, conduct a polishing triage determining exactly why you are polishing any particular restoration. Polishing to smooth down a rough surface? Smoothing down a margin? Removing plaque? Removing extrinsic stain on the restoration? Restoring shine and luster to a dull surface? Is there a true “reason” to polish? You may wish to consider selective polishing as a viable option.¹

RESTORATIVE MATERIALS
Not only is determining why you are polishing important, it is also important to know what dental material you are polishing. Quite simply, different polishing pastes will have a different effect on different materials. Aesthetic indirect all-ceramic materials fall into 2 general categories: composite or porcelain (ceramic).
Composite, or resin-based materials, are mechanically polished to a shine. Also, the filler particle size of the composite is directly related to the optimal surface luster. Normal particle size can range from 0.04 to 1 µm, affecting the material’s potential to achieve a high shine. Fillers may be made of resin, glass, or silica; or a combination of these. Composite resin materials require regular care to maximize their longevity simply because they are not as strong in comparison to the strength that porcelain materials possess. Composites are also a viable direct restorative choice in the dental office.²

With porcelain materials, an enamel glaze is baked on the surface of the restoration to provide a smooth glossy/shiny surface. Advances in dental technology offer more ceramic/nonmetallic options. The use of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing systems has enhanced the availability of aesthetic choices, whether restorations are fabricated in the office or in the dental laboratory. For example, in the laboratory, copings can be milled out of zirconium oxide, and porcelain can be pressed (or layered) onto the substructure. Options for crowns and veneers include layered/stackable feldspar-based porcelains or pressed-ceramic utilizing the lost wax technique. Pressed ceramic can include materials such as leucite glass-ceramic and lithium disilicate glass-ceramic. Strength is gained once the porcelain restorations are bonded to the tooth structure.³ It is important for the hygienist to be aware of the interface between the tooth structure and the restoration, as it can stain and abrade more readily. Also, it is pertinent for the hygienist to help maintain a smooth glasslike surface to the restorations. Any roughness will attract bacteria and stain, contributing to a less aesthetic appearance, and possibly compromising the integrity of the restoration itself.^4,5

RELATIVE DENTIN ABRASION VALUE
Once you have determined the aesthetic material and the purpose of polishing, the polishing agent itself should be evaluated for its main abrasive ingredient. The relative dentin abrasion or radioactive dentin abrasivity (RDA) should be reviewed and assessed (Table 1). This value indicates the abrasivity of a material in relation to dentin. The relative enamel abrasion (REA) value can be taken into consideration as well, but the RDA value relates better to the sensitivity of dentin. Abrasives are based on the hardness, particle size, and quantity of the abrasive. The ADA has adopted a standardized test to determine the RDA and REA value of a product. Basically, to determine RDA value, extracted human teeth are irradiated with mild neutrons, stripped of enamel, and subjected to simulated tooth cleaning procedures. The rinse water is then measured for its radioactivity and recorded. Thus, after a few calculations (taking into consideration speed of rotation of the prophy cup, time, and the pressure applied, etc), a score or index is given to the product being tested (Table 1). Any value over 100 is considered to be abrasive.⁶ The ADA recommended limit is 250, whereas the FDA limit is 200. (Note: Toothpastes are also given a RDA value for FDA approval, but often are not published for marketing purposes). As for the hardness, abrasives are ranked on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. The hardness is based upon 10 readily available minerals, on a scale of 1 to 10. Diamonds are assigned a 10 since it is the hardest mineral, and talc, the softest, is assigned a 1.0.7 (Tables 2 and 3).

NOT ALL POLISHING PASTES ARE CREATED EQUAL
Determining the proper polishing agents indicated specifically for aesthetic restorations can be challenging, as there are a plethora of pastes on the market. Not all abrasives are created equal, and not all of them are appropriate for aesthetic restorations. General prophylaxis pastes may compromise the surface integrity of restorations making them dull, and create microscratches that can attract plaque and stain. There is a difference between a polishing paste and a cleaning paste. A polishing paste will re­move plaque and provide luster, but will not remove stain. This is because it either does not contain an abrasive, or it has very minimal abrasive in the product. A cleaning paste will remove plaque and debris, and remove stain, as it may have various grits of an abrasive present.^2,8
In order for a surface to be polished smooth and shiny, the abrasive itself needs to be harder than the surface being polished. Grit refers to the particle size. A finer abrasive produces fewer scratches on the restorative/tooth surface, thus creating a smoother and glossy finish. The larger the particle size, the more abrasive the product will be to the surface being polished.^2,5,8,9
Common abrasives found in pastes include materials such as aluminum oxide, pumice, silica, silicon dioxide, tin oxide, and diamond particles. Pastes that contain aluminum oxide are safe for both composites and porcelains for plaque removal and general polishing. Aluminum oxide is safe to use on stain-free surfaces. However, if the porcelain restorations need to be polished to improve the shine or luster, a product that contains diamond particles should be utilized, then polished with a fine aesthetic polishing paste to restore lost luster (Table 4).¹⁰

POLISHING PROTOCOL
Other variables that affect the abrasive properties of a product include quantity of the paste applied, the rotation speed of the hand piece applying the paste, how much pressure is applied to the surface being polished, and how much time is spent polishing per surface.^6,10
Keep in mind that friction and heat generation are other factors to consider. Slight modifications of current polishing techniques are re­quired even when polishing aesthetic restorations with the properly indicated paste. Handpieces should be operated below 3,000 rpm. Adaptation of a soft cup is preferred with the lip of the cup flared slightly against the surface as seen in Figures 1 and 2. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate adapting the cup to the bicuspids with medium or coarse prophy paste to remove interproximal staining. Afterward, the restorations are polished with a fine paste to restore a smooth glasslike surface as seen in Figure 5. If additional polishing is required to re-establish surface integrity, a diamond polish may be utilized.
The cup should be adequately filled (not overfilled) with paste, as shown in Figure 6, and held at a 90° angle against the tooth. Utilizing intermittent pressure strokes on the tooth, and keeping sufficient paste in the cup, will help avoid any frictional heat. Too much external pressure can contribute to increased abrasion against the surface being polished. A limited number of teeth (2 to 3) should be treated at a time. Time spent on each surface should be approximately 5 seconds. Following the complete manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the specific polishing agent will ensure proper results and success of the product.^9,10

SELECTIVE POLISHING

Figure 1. A soft rubber cup, with slight flaring, is applied against the surface being polished. Too much external pressure can contribute to increased abrasion.	Figure 2. Surface is polished with a fine paste (Proxyt [Ivoclar Vivadent] shown here) to create a smooth glasslike surface to the ceramic. If additional polishing is required to re-establish surface integrity, a diamond polish may be utilized.
Figure 3. Adapt the cup to the bicuspids with medium or coarse paste to remove interproximal staining. Then, the restorations are polished with fine Proxyt to maintain a smooth surface.	Figure 4. Proper posterior adaptation necessitates retracting the cheeks.
Figure 5. Handpieces should be operated below 3,000 rpm, and a limited number of teeth (2 to 3) should be treated at a time.	Figure 6. The cup should be adequately filled (not overfilled) as illustrated.
Figure 7. Eight pressed-ceramic (IPS Empress [Ivoclar Vivadent]) restorations (teeth Nos. 5 to 12) placed 6 years ago. Slight interproximal stain was removed utilizing Proxyt coarse, and the res­torations were then polished with Proxyt fine.	Figure 8. The pastes have been thoroughly rinsed from the restorations.

Figure 9. Postoperative photo: Although the restorations may not appear very different from the start, the patient stated that her restorations feel smooth, slick, and glasslike to her tongue again.

In an ideal situation, if a restoration does not have stain present, it is an option to selectively polish. This technique is supported by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.^1,9 However, many patients feel that the “cleaning” is not complete without having their teeth and/or restorations polished, in some sort of fashion. This is where the hygienist can triage the polishing protocol specific for each patient. It may be just selecting a polishing paste that is needed to satisfy the patient’s desires. Several polishing pastes are on the market specific to aesthetic restorations.

IS THERE A SAFE AND UNIVERSAL PRODUCT?

One example of a universal product that was specifically formulated for use on both composite and porcelain restorations is called Proxyt (Ivoclar Vivadent) (Table 4). It is available in 3 types of grit: fine (RDA value: 7), medium (RDA value: 36), and coarse (RDA value: 83). All 3 grits of Proxyt paste contain fluoride, which helps to strengthen the enamel. This product also contains xylitol. Xylitol is a sweetener that also inhibits bacterial growth. After removing deposits and stains with mechanical/ultrasonic scaling and abrasive paste, the surfaces should be polished with a low abrasive paste. Proxyt fine paste, with an RDA value of 7 is ideal for final polishing and smoothing surfaces. In Figure 7, the patient presented with 8 pressed-ceramic (IPS Empress [Ivoclar Vivadent]) restorations (teeth Nos. 5 to 12), placed 6 years ago. The patient’s chief complaint was surface roughness on the restorations, and slight interproximal stain. The stain was removed utilizing Proxyt coarse, and the restorations were fine polished with Proxyt fine. Figures 8 and 9 show the patient postoperatively. To the unaided eye, the restorations may not appear very different from the start, but the patient states her restorations feel smoother and glasslike to her tongue again. The patient was also extremely pleased that the interproximal extrinsic stain was removed.
Examples of other polishing/prophy pastes that can be used for both composite and porcelain if stain is present include CPR (ICCare), Soft­shine (Water Pik), and Nucare (Sunstar Butler). Both CPR and Soft­shine utilize white sapphire particles. Nu­Care contains an ingredient called No­vamin, a gentle stain remover, which also reduces sensitivity. Novamin is comprised of sodium calcium phosphosilicate, which rapidly releases into sodium, calcium, and phosphorus when it comes in contact with salvia/water to form a new layer of hydroxycarbonate apatite on tooth surfaces.
Another paste on the market that does not contain abrasive, but has been successful in minimizing sensitivity after polishing and home use, is MI Paste by GC America. It uses calcium and phosphate (also known as Recaldent [CPP-ACP]), a milk derived protein that helps replace lost minerals in teeth. Its intended use is not as a polishing paste, but as a desensitizing paste (Table 4).

CONCLUSION

If the assessment of the potential polish of a restoration is beyond a paste’s indications and the hygienist’s capabilities, it may be an option for the dentist to utilize porcelain polishing kits that use various grits of abrasives in the form of wheels, points, and cups, in order to reach the definitive treatment goals (Table 5).
In general, be cautious about the products used to maintain the restored aesthetic smile. The goal is to maintain and protect the longevity of the restorations for the patient. It is important to do your homework so that you do not inadvertently compromise the aesthetically-restored smile by using an inappropriate product.

References

1. American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Po­sition paper on polishing procedures. Available at: http://www.adha.org/profissues/polishingpaper.htm. Accessed July 26, 2009.
2. Okuda W. Aesthetic maintenance protocol in cos­metic dentistry. J Practical Hygiene. 2002;11(5):31-34.
3. Culp L, McLaren EA, Ritter RG, et al. Selection of ceramic materials for aesthetics and function. J Practical Hygiene. March/April 2002;11:13-16.
4. Barnes C, Covey D, Walker M, et al. Essential Se­lective polishing: the maintenance of aesthetic restorations. J Practical Hygiene. 2003;12(5):18-24.
5. Barnes, C. Care and maintenance of aesthetic restorations. J Practical Hygiene. 2004;13(4):19-22.
6. Stookey GK, Schemehorn BR. A method for assessing the relative abrasion of prophylaxis materials. J Dent Res. 1979;58:588-592.
7. Barnes CM. Protocol for polishing. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. 2004;2:26, 28, 30, 32.
8. Dais J. Polishing procedures. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. 2006;4:22, 24.
9. LaCross I. Posing the polishing question. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. 2007;5:20,22-23.
10. Wilkins EM, Wyche C. Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008:724-740.

Ms. Jones is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with an associate degree in dental hygiene and a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management. She has been in the dental field for 19 years. She is the assistant manager at Aurum Ceramic at Las Vegas Institute. She contributes technical articles for Aurum Ceramic Dental Laboratories’ Continuum as well as for other various dental publications. She serves as a speaker for various dental programs in regards to maintenance care of the aesthetically restored smile, dental materials, and implant communication with the lab. She is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetics, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, and the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW). She is also a member of the Dentistry Today Dental Advisory Board. She can be reached at (877) 254-5334 or trishj@aurumgroup.com.

Disclosure: Ms. Jones serves as an unpaid Key Opinion Leader for Ivoclar Vivadent, North America. Ms. Trish Jones has no financial interest in any of the companies mentioned in this article, and received no compensation for writing this article.