Repolishing Resin Composites After Bleaching Treatments: Effects on Color Stability and Smoothness

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of repolishing after bleaching on color stability and smoothness of two resin composites aged in a high-staining beverage. Fifty-six disc-shaped specimens (8x2 mm) of each resin composite were fabricated (Filtek Z250, 3M ESPE, microhybrid, and Filtek Z350 XT, 3M ESPE, nanofilled) and then divided according to treatment: bleached or nonbleached. After treatment application, groups were subdivided according to the surface treatment: repolished or unrepolished. A new subdivision was performed according to aging conditions: immersion in red wine for 15 min/d or in artificial saliva for 24 h/d during 30 days. Color (CIE-L*a*b* system) and roughness (Ra) were assessed at baseline (P0), after bleaching procedures (P1), after surface treatment (P2), and after aging (P3). Color change (Delta E-00) was calculated through the CIEDE2000 formula. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance and the Tukey post hoc test. Bleached repolished groups presented lower color alteration than the bleached unrepolished groups from both resin composites when aged in red wine. Repolishing (P1 vs P2) promoted a slight decrease in roughness values of almost all groups. Nanofilled composite presented greater Delta E-00 values than microhybrid composite when aged in red wine.