Study on Barrel Finishing of Complete Denture

Effect of Polishing Condition on Surface Texture of Artificial Teeth

Abstract

We developed a barrel finishing condition for denture base resin. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of barrel finishing on the surface texture of artificial teeth. Artificial teeth used in this study were porcelain, composite resin, and acrylic resin teeth. The barrel finishing condition indicated by the manufacturer and that developed by our department were both used. The surface roughness values of Ra and Rt were measured with a surface texture measuring instrument. Then the samples were observed under a scanning electron microscope.
The results were as follows:
1. The luster of porcelain teeth and composite resin teeth were slightly decreased after barrel finishing.Many small cracks were observed under SEM.
2. The luster of acrylic resin teeth after barrel finishing was the same as that of untreated teeth.
3. Surface roughness of porcelain and composite resin teeth were slightly increased in Ra by barrel finishing, but the range of difference was from 0.02μm to 0.04μm.
4. Surface roughness of acrylic resin teeth was slightly decreased by barrel finishing.
It was considered that improvement of the surface texture of denture base resin was possible, even though surface roughness of porcelain and composite resin teeth was slightly increased by barrel finishing.