Effect of different finishing and polishing techniques on surface roughness of composite restorations

Background: Esthetic demands have become increasingly important in modern dentistry, and the quality of the restoration finish particularly surface roughness plays a critical role in determining the long-term clinical success of resin-based composite restorations. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of different finishing and polishing techniques on the surface roughness of composite restorations. Methods: This cross-sectional study at the Department of Science of Dental, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh (June 2023 to May 2024) included 100 participants receiving composite restorations, randomly assigned to Mylar strip, diamond burs, Sof-Lex discs, or multi-step polishing; surface roughness (Ra) was measured and analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p