Comparison of Polishing Methods Used in Extrinsic Discolouration of Primary Teeth in Terms of Surface Roughiness 

Abstract BackgroundSurface roughness is one of the main factors affecting bacterial adhesion, biofilm growth, plaque formation and coloration on the tooth surface. Improper polishing may increase roughness or not contribute to a reduction in roughness while removing biofilms on tooth surfaces. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of different polishing pastes applied to the enamel of primary teeth on the surface roughness through AFM, which enables a more detailed examination of the measurements, and to evaluate the roughness changes created by the paste on the surface. MethodsIn the present study, in order to compare polishing made using Septodent Détartrine, Kerr Cleanic, Shofu Mersaage Regular under the recommendations of the companies in addition to the application of pumice with a rubber brush, a total of 88 samples with 22 samples in each group were created using 88 primary molar teeth. Before and after polishing, roughness measurements and visualizations were performed with atomic force microscopy (AFM). After polishing, Ra (average roughness) values, which express the surface roughness of the re-scanned samples, were calculated so that the samples were the same as the first scanning. For statistical analysis, Shapiro-Wilk normality test and generalized linear models tests were applied and p <0.05 was considered as statistically significantResultsIn the groups; while there was no significant difference in terms of roughness values ​​(Ra) within the group (p> 0.05), a statistically significant reduction in roughness (Ra) was observed on the sample surfaces after polishing in all groups compared to the baseline (p <0.05). According to the data obtained; all polishing methods used in the treatment of primary tooth discoloration can reduce the plaque formation and thus the amount of recoloring by reducing the surface roughness at a similar level.ConclusionAccordingly, it has been observed that the current polishing pastes do not provide a significant advantage over the traditional polishing method (polishing brush with pumice) in terms of surface roughness in removing discoloration in primary teeth.