LITERATURE REVIEW ARTICLE

Applications of Abrasives on Restorations in Dentistry

Udita S Maller1, Deepa Natesan Thangaraj2, Sudhakara V Maller3
Professor Department of Prosthodontics 2 Senior Lecturer Department of Dental Materials 3 Professor & HOD Department of Prosthodontics Dept of Prosthodontics, KSR Institute of Dental Science & Research, Tiruchengode, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu. Pin : 637 209 Address for correspondence : Dr. Udita S Maller Department of Prosthodontics , K.S.R Institute of Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Namakal District Phone No: 04288 274981 E-mail Id: drmallers@ in.com
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ABSTRACT : Effective finishing and polishing of dental restorations not only results in optimal aesthetics but also provides acceptable oral health of soft tissues and marginal integrity of the restorative interface. This article provides an overview of basic principles of abrasive science and considers some research concerning clinically relevant questions. The article also discusses some recent innovations in finishing and polishing devices. The overall aim is to provide an enhanced awareness and broader knowledge of the principles and tools available to produce optimal surface finishing and integrity in dental restorations.

Introduction Proper finishing & polishing is important for shaping, contouring and removing surface irregularities in restorations in order to avoid plaque accumulation, gingival irritation, surface staining thus providing functional occlusion & esthetics. The process of finishing a restoration involves abrasive wear through the use of hard particles. The following article briefly describes the use of various abrasives and their mechanism of action in dentistry. ABRASION Defined as the wearing away or removal of material by the act of rubbing, cutting or scraping. FINISHING process by which a restoration is contoured to remove excess material and produce a reasonably smoother surface. POLISHING refers to the final removal of material from a restoration resulting in a very smooth highly reflective surface which does not contain scratches. ABRASIVE an abrasive is a hard substance used for finishing or polishing a less hard surface. 1 Classification Of Abrasives 1.Based on instrument design1 Cutting instrument Eg:Tungsten carbide Abrasive finishing & polishing devices Bonded abrasives Diamonds, white stones.

Coated abrasives Aluminium oxide Silicon carbide, quartz Loose abrasives Aluminium oxide Ultra fine diamonds 2. Based on the abrasive grits 2 Coarse (125-150m) Medium coarse (90-100m) Medium fine (88-125m) Fine (60-74m) Super fine (38-44m) 3. Based on purpose3 Finishing abrasive Polishing abrasive Cleansing abrasive 4. Based on availability (FIG 1) Paper / plastic coated Stainless steel coated strips Bonded stones Powder form Cake form Rubber impregnated Paste from

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Applications of Abrasives on Restorations in Dentistry

Udita Maller, Deepa & Sudhakara Maller

Specification of abrasives The rate of abrasion of a given material by a given abrasive is determined by4 1. Size of the abrasive larger particles, faster the work but result in deep scratches 2. Pressure of the abrasive against substrate 3. Speed at which the abrasive moves against substrate. 4. Irregularity in shape of the abrasivemore irregular particles, greater efficiency 5. Hardness of the abrasive material relative to that of the worharder the abrasive , greater efficiency 6. Impact strength of the abrasive materialthe abrasive should fracture rather than become dull so that sharp edges are always present. Mechanism Of Grinding1 a. Two body abrasionHere abrasive particles are firmly bound to the abrasive instrument. Eg: diamond abrasive abrading a tooth (FIG 2)

Sequence Of Abrasive Wear Use a series of abrasives to remove material from a softer object so that the surface scratches produced by each abrasive are sequentially replaced with one of smaller and smaller dimension.5 (FIG 5)
ABRASIVE INSTRUMENT DESIGN

b. Three body abrasionHere abrasive particles are free to translate & rotate between two surfaces.Eg: non bonded abrasives in dental prophylaxis paste.(FIG 3

Abrasive Grit Derived from materials that have been crushed & passed through a series of mesh screens to obtain different particle size ranges6,7. The surface finish obtained with each abrasive depends on grades of an abrasive.
TABLE 1

Removal of surface can also be achieved by EROSION Hard particles impacting a substance surface , carried by either a stream of liquid or a stream of air. Eg : Hard particle erosion occurs when SAND BLASTING a surface.(FIG 4))

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Applications of Abrasives on Restorations in Dentistry

Udita Maller, Deepa & Sudhakara Maller

Bonded Abrasives Here abrasive particles are incorporated through a binder to form grinding tools such as points, wheels separating disks, coated thin disks, etc1 Types 1. SINTERING together.(FIG 6)

Here the abrasive particles are fused

The type of bonding method employed for the abrasive greatly affects the grinding behavior of the tool on the substance. Bonded abrasives which tend to disintegrate rapidly are too weak and result in reduced instrument life. Those which degrade too slowly results in clogging with grinding debris, leads to loss of abrasive efficiency , increased heat generation and increased finishing time. 2. VITREOUS BONDED -- abrasives are mixed with a glassy or ceramic matrix material and cold pressed to the instrument shape and fired to fuse to the binder.3 (FIG 7) Requirement Of Binders 1. should hold the abrasive particles in the tool for a sufficiently long time 2. should release the particles either before loss of cutting efficiency or heat build up. Binders for diamond abrasives are manufactured specifically to resist abrasive particle loss rather than to degrade at a certain point and release particles. Commonly used binders are nickel plated. Recent studies have proved that titanium aluminium nitride coating, chromium nitride, titanium carbonitride coating by chemical vapour deposition are used to resist diamond abrasive particle loss.8 Bonded abrasive should always be trued and dressed before its use.7 TRUING Procedure through which the abrasive instrument is run against a harder abrasive block without eccentricity or runout when placed on the substrate. DRESSING Procedure used to shape the instrument, accomplishes two different purposes. A) reduce the instrument to its correct working size and shape. B) remove clogged debris from the abrasive instrument to restore its grinding efficiency ABRASIVE BLINDING Clogging of the abrasive instrument with debris which results in loss of abrasive efficiency and heat generation. Coated Abrasives Fabricated by securing abrasive particles to a flexible backing material with a suitable adhesive material. Backing material can be heavy weight paper, metal & mylar which are supplied as disks & finishing strips.

3. RESIN BONDED-- abrasives are cold pressed or hot pressed and then heated to cure the resin. Hot pressing yields the abrasive binder with extremely low porosity. (FIG 8)

4. RUBBER BONDED -- abrasives are made in a manner similar to that for resin bonded abrasives.(FIG 9)

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Applications of Abrasives on Restorations in Dentistry

Udita Maller, Deepa & Sudhakara Maller

Coated Disks Are used for contouring of an irregular surface to produce a smooth flat or convex contour on incisal edges, embrasures and to a limited extent on posterior surfaces. Available in different diameters and with thin and very thin backing material and in sizes ranging from to 7/8 diameter. (FIG 10)

Loose Abrasives Also called as nonbonded abrasives or polishing pastes.Primarily used for final polishing, need to be applied to the substrate with a nonabrasive device such as synthetic foam, rubber, felt or chamois cloth. Most popular loose abrasives are aluminium oxide (Al2 O3) and diamonds(FIG 13) Paper backing though less durable is preferred to the stiffer plastic backing which permits more flexibility. Flexibility can be improved by applying a small dab of cocoa butter or Vaseline. Disks may be attached to a mandrel ,for sizes of in diameter or larger , snap on type of mandrel is used. For 3/8 and diameter, loma linda mandrels ie, screw type mandrel is used. Advantage of this type is that the mandrel does not interfere with the working area but its movement is limited to a forward motion only. To offset this disadvantage an innovative design mandrel a POP ON mandrel is used9,10. Disks are available in diamond, silicon carbide, synthetic and natural emery, garnet, cuttle, rouge.(FIG 11)

TABLE 2

POP ON

SCREW TYPE

SNAP ON

Coated Strips Strips are used to smooth and polish the proximal surfaces of all bonded restorations.Available in metal or plastic backing and with different abrasives. Metal strips are used in very tight contact areas of ceramic, composites and amalgam restorations, but care must be taken to avoid lacerating the gingival tissues .Plastic strips are used for composites, compomers, hybrid ionomers, and resin cements. These strips are used by hand in a back and forth motion (FIG12)

The type of instrument that delivers the paste to the restoration is also important for better finishing.11 Eg: Rubber polishing cups are ineffective in applying aluminium oxide pastes because firmness of the cup is too great and design of the cup limits its action in certain areas.(FIG 14) In addition to the instrument used, the method of application is also important for clinical success. A two step procedure should be followed, ie initially dry polishing using low speed hand piece and then wet polishing .
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Applications of Abrasives on Restorations in Dentistry

Udita Maller, Deepa & Sudhakara Maller

TABLE 3 TYPES OF ABRASIVE MATERIALS1

Disadvantages of abrasive pastes are 1. Relatively thick and cannot gain access into embrasures. 2. Paste tend to splatter off the instrument 3. Heat generation occurs due to insufficient coolant used or when intermittent polishing technique is not used.1 Application Of Nanotechnology In Abrasives Nanotechnology introduced nano silica abrasives by chemical- mechanical planarization process. Particle size of nano silica ranges from 10-90nm and is spherical in shape. It has been reported that polishing with nanosilica provides high polishing and low surface roughness . Also polishing of teeth with nano silca helps in prevention of damage caused by cariogenic bacteria.12,13,14,15,16 Benefits Of Using Abrasives Proper usage of abrasives provide three benefits of dental care by improving 17,10 1. ORAL HEALTH Resisting accumulation of food debris and pathogenic bacteria by well contoured and polished restorations with the proper use of abrasives. 2. ORAL FUNCTIONwell finished restorations minimize wear rates on opposing and adjacent teeth. It also avoids development of high stress areas in the restorations which will improve the oral function. 3. ESTHETIC correct sequence of using abrasives results in mirror finish to the restorations which reduce the susceptibility to staining, simulates natural tooth surface, minimises irritation of tissues and reduces the potential for corrosion thereby improving the esthetic demand. Biological Hazards Of Using Abrasives 1, 10, 16 1. Production of aerosolsSilicosis (also called as grinder's disease) occurs due to liberation of silica based abrasives used for finishing the restorations. 2. Cross contamination occurs due to the presence of aerosols in the clinical area for more than 24 hrs. 3. Production of vapoursToxic mercury vapours arise during finishing and polishing amalgam restorations as there is rise in temperature while using the abrasives (Mercury toxicity). Finishing of acrylic based materials with abrasives results in monomer release. 4.Soft tissue irritation some people develop allergies to some of the abrasive (cuttle , kieselguhr) which are used during finishing.

restorations

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Applications of Abrasives on Restorations in Dentistry

Udita Maller, Deepa & Sudhakara Maller

References
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