Gloss values linked to acceptability of resin composites, Study reveals

A GU of 0 was nonglossy, and a GU of 100 was perfectly glossy. Ten dentists evaluated the specimens, ranking them in order from low to high gloss and in 4 groups: low (dull or rough), medium (moderate gloss, clinically unacceptable), high (glossy, clinically acceptable), and superior gloss. The authors performed Spearman correlation analysis (α = 0.05).

The results showed that-

1. For each finish and polish method, there was an excellent correlation between the machine-measured (actual) gloss ranks and the clinician-evaluated gloss ranks (
   r² ≥ 0.95).
2. There was no difference in perception of surface gloss of the composite when metallurgically polished (with silicon carbide papers and alumina paste) or polished with EP to the same GU.
3. There was a slight difference in gloss perception when comparing the 2 different commercial polishing systems.

Therefore, the authors concluded that "gloss of 40 through 50 GU as clinically acceptable. However, the composite was considered clinically acceptable at a lower gloss (40 GU) when polished with SLex disks than when polished with EP or metallurgically (50 GU)."

They further inferred that gloss values of 40 through 50 GU are considered to be clinically acceptable for resin composites.