Ch. 36 composite finishing and polishing

Purpose

To create a restoration that is smooth, even and easy to clean

You want to give the tooth back it's glossy enamel look with its anatomical functionality

Indications

Overextension or flash or composite, premature or "high" contacts,

overhanging restorations

Indication or repair or replacement

Gross overhang, open margins, fractures, extensive stains, recurrent caries, open contacts

Difference between amalgam and composite in finishing

Unlike amalgam, composite can be polished and finished right after

placement.

You have to be careful not to generate heat while polishing amalgam due to

the possibility of evaporating mercury, causing poisoning

Caution

During finishing and polishing, neighboring teeth can be affected

Generation of heat or aerosols while polishing

Exposed metal shanks or center of polishing disks can scratch and discolor restoration

Proximal surfaces

To fix defects in proximal surfaces, you can use the following instruments....

Scalpel blade is the best for proximal overhangs

ET Flame bur

Finishing disks

Finishing strips

Occlusal surfaces

Egg or football diamond finishing bur is the most practical for finishing

occlusal restorations

Grooves

Finishing points and cups are great for getting into smooth surfaces and grooves

Facial and lingual surfaces

You can use ET flame for contours, football diamond, finishing disks, points and cups