An evaluation of postadjustment polishing techniques for porcelain denture teeth.

Eleven commonly used methods of adjusting and polishing porcelain denture teeth were evaluated. They were compared to the surface of an unaltered denture tooth. Three methods (7, 10, and 11) resulted in surfaces which appeared polished under visual examination. These three methods produced finished surfaces comparable to the unaltered tooth. In attempting to avoid the undesirable sequelae of occlusal wear due to friction, the dentist may choose one of these techniques to complete the adjustment of vacuum-fired porcelain denture teeth prior to placement of the denture. Clinical significance of slight differences in surface roughness must be assessed through carefully controlled patient studies.