The Importance of Enhanced Visual Acuity in Evaluation of Polishing Composite Resins

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of enhanced visual acuity in evaluation of polishing composite resins. Material and Methods: Forty-five composite samples were used. Finishing and polishing discs were used to produce samples with different surface roughness values (Ra). The observers examined the resin surfaces according to the following scale: 1: Smooth (0.01-0.2) (Ra); 2: Medium (0.2-0.6) (Ra) and 3: Rough (0.6-1.0) (Ra). Observers used following evaluation methods: 1: Naked eye; 2: 4× magnification dental loupe; 3: Same loupe with an LED lamp; 4: DOM (Dental Operation Microscope) at 5× magnification, with a Xenon lighting system; 5: Same DOM at 12.5× magnification with a Xenon source. Results: Moderate magnification (4× and 5×) with LED or Xenon lighting is more accurate than the naked eye in terms of rating surface smoothness. The results at moderate magnifications (4× and 5×) were more accurate than those at high magnification (12.5×). Conclusions: The naked eye, low magnification with reflector light, and high magnification with xenon light were unsatisfactory methods of evaluating surface smoothness. Clinical Relevance: Moderate magnification with xenon or LED light was more satisfactory for evaluating the surface smoothness of a resin material in clinical conditions.