Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an experimental composite polishing system. Methods: Composite surface smoothness was analyzed by 3-D surface profiler (Zygo). Forty-five buttons of three composite materials (N=15/Group) were prepared: Group 1. XRV Herculite (Kerr), Group 2. Filtek Z250 (3M), Group 3. Esthet X (Dentsply), all in shade A3 for a total of 135 samples. Each composite group was polished with: (A). Experimental Polishing System (Dentsply), diamond impregnated discs, (B). Sof-Lex Polishing Systems (3M), (C). Astropol Finishing and Polishing System (Ivoclar). The three composite were formed into cylindrical molds (2mm x 10mm). The composites were dispensed in a single increment into stainless steel molds placed over a glass slab and light cured for 40 seconds. Immediately after curing the surface cured against the glass was roughened using wet 320 grit SiC paper. All groups were polished following manufacturers' protocol. Data was analyzed with ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls. Results:

	Experimental			Sof-Lex			Astropol
Group	1	2	3	1	2	3	1	2	3
Ra µm	0.136	0.089	0.124	0.174	0.182	0.187	0.211	0.151	0.183
SD	0.07	0.03	0.04	0.04	0.07	0.03	0.03	0.06	0.08

Conclusion: The experimental polishing system produced a significantly smoother (P<0.05) surface with the three composites tested. This study was supported by a grant from Dentsply Caulk.

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