134 

5.6
The Finishing and Polishing of Resin Composite Restorations
Subir Banerji and Shamir B. Mehta 
Video: The Finishing and Polishing of Resin Composite Restorations
Presented by Subir Banerji and Shamir B. Mehta

Principles
The process of finishing a resin composite restoration should aim to attain the desired
form and gross texture, while the polishing phase should aim to impart the required
lustre, such that the restoration is ultimately unnoticeable by the patient. The impor-
tance of finishing and polishing is often overlooked in general dentistry, but they
are critical when trying to provide the patient with a restoration that is functionally
conducive to the prescribed occlusal scheme, in helping to sustain good oral health by
permitting and maintaining effective plaque control, as well as fulfilling the aesthetic
expectations of all parties concerned.
Finishing and polishing should ideally be delayed for at least 10–15 minutes following
the final phase of light curing so as to permit some dark polymerisation to take place.
Premature finishing may otherwise result in an increased risk of initiating micro-cracks
and possibly accelerated surface wear.
There is a variety of materials and instruments available to assist with finishing and pol-
ishing. The choice of a system or indeed a protocol very much depends on operator prefer-
ence. The use of non-flexible abrasive discs and strips should be undertaken with caution,
however, as there is a risk of ‘flattening’ anatomical contours developed during the process
of resin application, which may result in suboptimal functional and aesthetic form.
A sound knowledge of dental anatomy is helpful, especially when concerning the
location of fissures, ridges, fossae, cones, lobes and grooves, as well as attention to the
surface texture. It is also good practice to make detailed observations of adjacent and
contralateral teeth when planning aesthetic resin composite restorations.

Procedures
Following resin application, initially aim to establish the correct static occlusal form.
When conforming, adjust your restoration using a fine (red-banded 30–40 micron) dia-
mond bur, such that the pre-restorative centric stops coincide with those following res-
toration placement in maximum intercuspation. Confirm the presence of centric stops

Practical Procedures in Aesthetic Dentistry, First Edition. Edited by Subir Banerji, Shamir B. Mehta and
Christopher C.K. Ho.  © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Published 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Companion website: www.wiley.com/go/banerji/aestheticdentistry
 5.6  The Finishing and Polishing of Resin Composite Restorations    135

on the tooth being restored (if present pre-operatively) using articulating foil. The use
of a rugby ball–shaped bur is very helpful for this process. Copious water cooling will
avoid the inadvertent overheating of the restoration.
Now assess your restoration when your patient makes dynamic mandibular move-
ments. This may require the addition of further material, which if done in the same ses-
sion may necessitate the use of a coat of unfilled or lightly filled flowable resin to permit
re-bonding. If this is to take place at a subsequent visit, the use of abrasion as well as the
application of etchant should also be given due consideration.
The use of a number 12 scalpel can be helpful to remove gross flash from the margins,
especially in the gingival areas and interproximal regions. Place the tip of the blade on
the tooth tissues and direct movements towards the restoration, taking care to avoid
iatrogenic damage to the soft tissues.
Using a set of tungsten carbide (TC) burs starts to develop the desired macro-texture.
Burs with more than 12 flutes should be avoided (as should coarser diamond burs), as they
will increase the risk of causing damage to the surface layer of the restoration. The use of
a proximal bur is very valuable for gingival and proximal finishing. A conical bur may be
employed to finish occluding surfaces for both anterior and posterior restorations.
An 8–12-fluted, needle-shaped TC bur is particularly useful for developing macro-
texture with anterior resin restorations. Macro-texturing will affect the surface light
properties of your restoration, such as reflection and light dispersion. TC burs may be
used to place ‘valleys and peaks’ on the labial surface, which in turn will help to create
shadows that can give a sensation of depth and light reflection, resulting in ‘promi-
nence’. Lines of both horizontal and vertical direction may also be placed to create an
illusion of widening and lengthening anterior teeth in these respective dimensions.
Embrasure spaces can be grossly contoured, with the aim of developing symmetry.
Placing the labial embrasure further apically will have the effect of making the tooth
appear narrower. Flattened areas may be developed on the labial face to mimic the
shape of adjacent or contralateral teeth. You may also choose to contour the incisal
edge with (or without) grooves according to the patient's age and wear pattern.
The inattentive use of non-flexible abrasive discs will help to remove the macro-
textural form. However, flexible discs are sometimes helpful for the definition of the
incisal edge as well as the refinement of the embrasure space.
You will most likely have a variety of finishing strips at your disposal to contour and
polish the proximal surfaces. The use of coarse strips carries the risk of opening up
patent contact areas as well as unwanted damage to the dental hard tissues. Plastic
strips ranging from medium to extra-fine grit are ideal when employed in an ‘S’-shaped
motion (as opposed to developing a ‘U’-shaped form) so as to avoid flattening or indeed
opening up of contact areas.
A set of green and white dental stones can then be used for further gross finishing and
to commence the polishing phase. Pointed burs are helpful in finishing marginal areas.
Re-assess your restorations. For some anterior resin restorations, you may choose
to place some resin tints to impart stains or opacities, which may be overlaid by a very
thick layer of translucent resin composite. You may sometimes elect to use a sterile pen-
cil to mark the positions of accessory grooves and flattened surfaces to assist you with
this stage.
Having determined the gross form and macro-characterisation, commence the pro-
cess of polishing with a series of impregnated rubber points. A variety of shapes of
burs are available to suit your needs. Burs should be used with light pressure and with
136    Practical Procedures in Aesthetic Dentistry

copious coolant. Rubber points are employed to polish the surface, including macro-
textural surface undulations such as the lobes and ridges that you have formed, as well
as to develop a shiny surface.
Finally, high shine can be achieved with impregnated bristle brushes and/or a propri-
etary diamond or aluminium oxide polishing paste system on a felt or goat's-hair wheel.
Re-polymerise your restoration for a further 60 seconds.
Apply a final surface glaze of unfilled composite resin to seal off any micro-defects.
This will help to improve the aesthetic outcome, improve wear resistance and marginal
integrity, as well as possibly avoid crack propagation. Some clinicians also choose to use
a layer of glycerine over the restoration followed by subsequent light curing, to permit
curing of the surface layer, which may otherwise remain uncured due to the effect of the
oxygen inhibition phenomenon.
Appraise your restoration for occlusal form, aesthetics, patency of the contact area
using dental floss and its ability to secure and maintain good oral health.

Tips
●● Avoid premature finishing and polishing.
●● Use copious amounts of water coolant.
●● Find a protocol that work best for you.
●● Practise taking photographs. View these with a ‘fresh set of eyes’. For aesthetically
demanding cases, you may suggest that your patient re-attends for final refinement
and polishing once you have made detailed notes from your photographic records.
●● Avoid coating restorations with agents containing HEMA, as this will increase the
risk of stain accumulation.
●● Remember that composites do require long-term maintenance, so be prepared to re-
polish the surface to enhance the aesthetic value.

Further Reading
Chen RC, Chan DC, Chan KC. A quantitative study of finishing and polishing techniques
for composite. J Prosthet Dent. 1988;59(3):292–7.
Sarac D, Sarac Y, Kulunk S, Ural C, Kulunk T. The effect of polishing techniques on the
surface roughness and colour changes of composites. J Prosthet Dent. 2006;96(1):33–40.