Abstract: Objective: To compare the effect of different polishing tools on the surface properties of zirconia after polishing. Methods: 40 zirconia blocks specimens (13 mm×10 mm×3 mm) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=8): Group A (blank control group), group B (negative control group), group C (SHOFU), group D (KOMET), and group E (EVE). The effect of polishing was measured by the Ra value, the vickers hardness, and the surface morphology. Results: The Ra values of zirconia specimens were not exactly the same, and the differences were statistically significant(F=273.200,P=0.000). The mean Ra values of each group were as follows: E<A, B, D<C, and the differences were statistically significant. The results of SEM were consistent with the surface roughness. The hardness values of zirconia specimens were the same after surface treatment, and the difference was not statistically significant (F=2.603,P=0.053). Conclusion: The effects of different polishing tools on zirconia were significant. EVE zirconia polishing tool achieved the best performance, which was comparable to the surface properties of zirconia after sintering. The effect of SHOFU zirconia polishing tool was poor, which was worse than that of white sand and sintering.

Key words: Zirconia, Polishing, Surface roughness, SEM, Vickers hardness