Abstract
To establish the proper polishing technique for the glass polyalkenoate cement restorations, the set cements of three brands were finished and polished with various silicone-rubber points, and different time intervals after setting, and the surface roughness of these finished and polished surfaces was determined with a surface recorder. Also the Knoop hardness of set cement surface was measured in accordance with each finishing and polishing time interval. The positive replicas of polished cement surfaces were observed under the SEM. The glass polyalkenoate cement restorations should be polished one week after mixing. Serial use of Silicone Point Hard Red and Silicone Point Blue under a wet condition produced the smoothest cement surface. A significant negative correlation was obtained the surface roughness of polished cement surface and the Knoop hardness of set cement.
