The Effect of Polishing Porcelain Laminates on Induced I-Bar Wear

Partial-coverage porcelain laminate restorations may successfully be used to create undercuts for removable partial denture abutment teeth. If recontouring of such restorations becomes necessary after placement, surface polishing would be necessary prior to removable partial denture fabrication. In this study the wear of luted porcelain laminates, which received a polished surface treatment and contacting I-bar clasps, was quantified over a simulated 2-year period when subjected to removable partial denture placement and removal. Scanning electron photomicrographs and computer imaging were used for wear measurement. These data were compared to previously recorded data on wear of I-bar tips against human enamel and glazed, luted, porcelain-laminate restorations under the same experimental conditions. No measurable wear was observed on any of the laminate specimens. I-bar clasps tested against the glazed laminate restorations exhibited the greatest mean wear, and those tested against the polished laminates exhibited the least mean wear.