The Effects of a Commercial Aluminum Airpolishing Powder on Dental Restorative Materials

Abstract

Introduction: JET-Fresh™ (Dentsply International, York, PA), a new airpolishing powder that contains aluminum trihydroxide as the abrasive agent, has been introduced for use with Prophy-Jet™ (Dentsply International). Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the surface effects of aluminum trihydroxide airpolishing powder on a series of restorative materials. Materials and Methods: A total of 6 Class V preparations with enamel margins were created on the buccal surface of extracted human molars. The preparations were restored with Type III gold, a high copper spherical alloy amalgam, porcelain, a lightactivated hybrid composite material, a light-activated microfilled composite material, and a light-activated, resin-modified glass ionomer material. The distal half of each restoration was covered with fiberglass tape and the mesial half subjected to treatment with the aluminum trihydroxide powder via the Prophy-Jet™ for 5 seconds. After removal of the protective tape, the buccal surface of each treated tooth was replicated with impression material. Replicas were generated using epoxy resin and prepared for evaluation with scanning electron microscopy. Results: The aluminum trihydroxide produced surface alterations that were apparent visually and when viewed by a scanning microscope of the hybrid and microfilled composites and the glass ionomer restorations. The surfaces of the amalgam and gold restorations were altered, but not to the extent that the resin-based materials were. No disruption of the surface characterization of the porcelain was detected; however, with gold and porcelain materials, the aluminum trihydroxide removed notable amounts of the luting cements (the results are consistent with the data gathered with sodium bicarbonate powder). Conclusion: Aluminum trihydroxide as the abrasive agent in an airpolishing system should be avoided on resin composites, resin-modified composites, and around the margins of cemented restorations.

Effect of air-polishing on properties of nanocomposite submitted to coffee, red wine and cigarette smoke

“…Furthermore, the sodium bicarbonate particles are less abrasive than particles contained in commercially available polishing pastes or pumice 16 .…”

“…In spite of the air-polishing has not been developed to direct use on aesthetic restorative materials and it be even condemned by some researchers 11,16 , it is observed regularly its applications on clinical conditions. Besides, resin composite is a restorative material mightily influenced by oral environment conditions, as moisture, the contact with low pH substances, contact with alcohol or other solvents and even changes of temperature 17,18 .These factors can be more harmful to the resin composite structure because it shows a more degraded or porous surface 6 .…”

Atomic force microscopy in vitro study of surface roughness and fractal character of a dental restoration composite after air-polishing

“…Therefore, air-polishing (AP) with simultaneously ejected water and pressurized air containing abrasive powders has been introduced in dental cleaning, and is now routinely applied [8-10]. Sodium bicarbonate powder is largely used for AP [10].…”

“…Therefore, air-polishing (AP) with simultaneously ejected water and pressurized air containing abrasive powders has been introduced in dental cleaning, and is now routinely applied [8-10]. Sodium bicarbonate powder is largely used for AP [10]. Recently, glycine powder has also been tested in several in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies, demonstrating a good clinical efficacy and low abrasive effect [7,9,11-14].…”

Influence of air-powder polishing on bond strength and surface-free energy of universal adhesive systems

“…In addition, air-powder polishing of wedgeshaped lesions may enhance dentin bond strengths of resin composites 4) . Previous studies show that air-powder polishing with sodium bicarbonate powder is safe on enamel and is less abrasive than rubber-cup polishing 5) . However, decreased bond strengths with dentin were reported following air-powder polishing with sodium bicarbonate powder 6) .…”