PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of topical acidulated phosphate fluoride on the surface roughness of both human enamel and different restorative materials. METHODS: Resin-modified glass ionomer (Vitremer - V), microhybrid composite resin with fluoride (Tetric Ceram - T), and nanofiller composite resin without fluoride (Z350 - Z) were evaluated. Acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF, 1.23%) was applied to half of the specimens (groups VF, TF, ZF and EF). Ten intact human third molars were used to obtain enamel specimens (E). Six experimental groups (n=10) and two control groups (n=10) were formed. The mean surface roughness (Ra) of both the restorative materials and enamel, with and without fluoride, was evaluated with a profilometer. Data were analyzed with an ANOVA, Tukey's test, Student's t-test, and Dunn-Bonferroni test at the 5% significance level. RESULTS: The mean values of surface roughness, in micrometers, were as follows: Z=0.60; TF=1.00; ZF=1.05; VF=1.18; T=2.10; V=2.70; E=16.99; and EF=21.19. Both E and EF presented significantly higher surface roughness than the other experimental groups. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that APF increased the surface roughness of enamel and decreased the surface roughness of both resin-modified glass-ionomer cement and microhybrid composite resin with fluoride. The surface roughness of the nanofiller composite resin was not modified by APF.
Surface roughness; composite resin; resin-modified glass ionomer cement; dental enamel; fluoride