1. restoration finishing + polishing

Finishing

Occlusal adjustment and anatomy

Improve marginal adaptation

Polishing

Smooth the surface to a point of high gloss or lustre

Objectives of the procedure of finishing and polishing:

Reduce plaque accumulation.
Improve aesthetics.
Provide more comfort for the patient.
Reduce tarnish and corrosion.
Increase biocompatibility with surrounding tissues

Composite Resin Polishing

Carbide burs 20- or 30-fluted

Abrasive discs and strips (fine and extra-fine grit)

Impregnated rubber wheels, points and cups (fine and extra-fine)

Felt discs/points combined with polishing paste (alumina or diamond)

Blades

Carbide burs 12- or 16-fluted

Fine diamond burs (24 a 45μm particle size)

Extra-fine diamond burs (15 a 30μm particle size)

Abrasive discs and strips (coarse and medium grit)

Plastic-backed abrasive strips 

Used primarily for resin-composite, compomers, hybrid ionomers and resin cements

Metal-backed abrasive strips

to situations in which very tight proximal contacts are involved

useful for ceramics, metals, amalgams and resin composite

more costly

Finishing and Polishing 

No polishing paste is necessary.
Abrasive is incorporated in the bristles

what do you finish the lingual with

football bur

what do you finish the labial with

needle nose

what do you finish the interproximal with + composite overhangs

polishing strips

Amalgam finishing and polishing

Amalgam finishing burs in slow-speed handpiece

Abrasive-impregnated rubber cups and points (brown, green, blue)

Abrasive metal strips for interproximal area.

Pumice in water applied with rotary brush.

Tin oxide in water or alcohol applied with rotary brush or felt wheel.

what should you have when finishing + polishing amalgam

Finishing and polishing with abundance of water/air cooling and intermittent contact with the amalgam to prevent excessive generation
of heat.

is amalgam polishing important for clinical performance

A highly polished amalgam is often more pleasing to the dentist than to the patient.

polishing a high-copper amalgam restoration does not enhance its clinical
performance, but finishing is an important part of restoration placement

There are no contraindications to polishing a restoration, but care must be taken not to create excessive heat during the polishing
procedure. can lead to mercury vapor

chart for amalgam vs composite finishing + polishing

Very Importane Steps to remember for finishing + polishing

Use descending abrasiveness order.

Rinse between different abrasives.

Use cooling agent.

For amalgam the highest water volume and the high volume suction
must be used.