Sof-Lex™
Spiral Finishing and Polishing System
Technical Data Sheet
Product Description
3M™ ESPE™ Sof-Lex™ Spiral Finishing and Polishing Wheels are a 2-step, single-use finishing and polishing system. The Sof-Lex
Spiral Wheels use the same mandrel as 3M™ ESPE™ Sof-Lex™ Finishing and Polishing Discs.
The Sof-Lex Spiral Wheels are made of an elastomer impregnated with aluminum oxide particles. The unique, flexible shape of
the Sof-Lex Spiral Wheels allows them to be used on all tooth surfaces, thereby reducing the need for differently shaped tools –
like points, cups, discs and brushes – to fit various contours of the tooth anatomy.
Indications
One shape …
Sof-Lex™ Spiral Wheels can be used to polish surfaces of:
• Adapts to all tooth surfaces
• Works from any angle
• Is effective for anterior and posterior restorations
• Quickly achieves a life-like luster
Direct:
• Composite restorations
• Resin-modified glass ionomers
• Bisacrylic temporary materials
Indirect:
• Composite
• Lava™ Ultimate CAD/CAM Restorative
• Precious and semi-precious metal
Finishing and Polishing Procedure
Proper finishing of restorations is desirable not only for aesthetic considerations but also for oral health. The primary goal of finishing
is to obtain a restoration which has good contour, occlusion, healthy embrasure forms and smoothness. Finishing and polishing
procedures remove the air-inhibited layer, contour and shape the restoration, create surface characterisation, and produce surfaces
with high gloss. Tight margins should blend aesthetically into the tooth’s natural contours. Healthy embrasure forms and smooth surfaces
are less likely to trap food debris and collect plaque. The polish should be smooth enough to be tolerated well by gingival tissue.
Gross Reduction
Final Contour
Finish:
Smooth surface
(scratch removal)
Polish
Global market research was conducted with 300 participants. In this survey, dentists were asked what tools they used for each
of the four steps of a finishing and polishing procedure.
Following are the results of the global market research along with a brief definition of each step:
Gross Reduction
70
60
% Respondents
The purpose is to remove excess restorative material (including
overhangs), to remove air-inhibited layer, and shape anatomy.
The tools that are typically used for this process deliver the most
aggressive abrasive (e.g., coarse grit) action in this procedure
to remove the excess material quickly. The graph on the right
depicts the most popular tools for Gross Reduction. Strips are
also used for proximal areas.
Gross Reduction
80
50
40
30
20
10
0
Diamond
Burs
Carbide
Burs
Discs
COARSE
Discs
MEDIUM
Stones
Discs
MEDIUM
Stones
Discs
MEDIUM
Brushes
Global Market Research December 2011, N = 300
Final Contour
Final Contour
80
70
60
% Respondents
The purpose of this step is to refine contours (size, shape,
grooves, etc.) and margins (generating a smooth transition
from tooth to restoration), re-establish contact with adjacent
teeth to a normal and functional form, and reduce surface
roughness. At the end of this step, the restoration should have
its desired form and a smooth, clean surface. The most popular
tools used for Final Contour are depicted in the graph on the
right. Strips are also used for proximal areas. These tools are
not as aggressive as those used for Gross Reduction (e.g.,
medium grit) because only small amounts of material are being
removed from the restoration.
50
40
30
20
10
0
Diamond
Burs
Silicone/
Rubberized
System
Carbide
Burs
Global Market Research December 2011, N = 300
Smooth Surface (scratch removal)
Finish Smooth surface (scratch removal)
80
70
60
% Respondents
This step reduces the scratch depth and/or removes lighter
scratches produced during the Gross Reduction and Final
Contour steps by the more aggressive tools. This step should
leave the surface smoother and sometimes is considered a
pre-polish step. The tools used for this step, as depicted in the
graph on the right, are less aggressive than the previous step
(e.g., a fine grit). Strips are also used for proximal areas.
50
40
30
20
10
0
The fine Sof-Lex Spiral Finishing Wheel is designed to
remove scratches and smooth the surface.
™
The superfine Sof-Lex Spiral Polishing Wheel produces
a high gloss polish.
™
Discs
FINE
Discs
SUPERFINE
Global Market Research December 2011, N = 300
High Gloss Polish
High Gloss Polish
80
70
60
% Respondents
The objective of this step is to further smooth the surface to
produce a high gloss shine on the restoration. The tools used
for this step, as depicted in the graph on the right, are the least
aggressive (e.g., super or ultra fine grits). Strips are also used
for proximal areas.
Silicone/
Rubberized
System
50
40
30
20
10
0
Silcone/
Rubberized
System
Brushes
Global Market Research December 2011, N = 300
Discs
SUPERFINE
Discs
FINE
Performance
Performance for finishing and polishing systems is typically evaluated by measuring surface gloss, surface roughness and
heat generation.
The study shows Sof-Lex Spiral Finishing and Polishing
Wheels produce a smooth gloss surface better than or equal
to the industry’s leading products.
™
100
90
80
70
60
Gloss Units
Gloss Attainment
Surface gloss or reflectance indicates how polished or shiny the
surface can become after treatment. A high gloss attainment
indicates a shiny, more reflective surface.
50
40
30
20
10
0
Sof-Lex™
Spiral Finishing
and Polishing
Wheels
OneGloss®
Occlubrush®
Opti1Step
Sof-Lex™ XT
Fine and
Superfine
Discs
Enhance®/
PoGo®
Samples of Filtek™ Supreme XTE Universal Restorative were prepared and then treated with
320 Grit Sandpaper to obtain a uniform and typical clinically relevant finished surface prior
to polishing. They were then treated with the various polishing systems.
Surface Roughness
Surface roughness actually measures how rough or smooth
the surface is before and after treatment. Sof-Lex Spiral
Finishing and Polishing Wheels produce a smoother or
similar surface roughness compared to the industryleading products.
Note the smoothness of the surface finished and
polished with Sof-Lex Spiral Finishing and Polishing
Wheels.
•The surface roughness can be quantified using surface
profilometers. A profilometer drags a stylus over the surface.
In this case, Ra (average surface roughness expressed in
units of height) is the parameter reported. The lower the Ra
(average surface roughness), the smoother the surface.
Starting Surface Prior to Polishing
Ra = 0.3 – 0.4 micron
Sof-Lex™ Spiral Finishing and
Polishing Wheels
Ra = 0.12 micron
•SEMs can be used to observe the actual surface roughness.
Opti1Step
Ra = 0.16 microns
Enhance® /Pogo®
Ra = 0.11 micron
Heat Generation
Many finishing and polishing devices generate heat during use.
Manufacturers may recommend water cooling or intermittent
pressure to ensure excessive heat does not build up.
Sof-Lex Spiral Finishing and Polishing Wheels generate
less heat on the surface compared to a leading rubberised
system.
• The surface temperature was measured before and during
treatment.
Occlubrush®
Ra = 0.25 micron
Sof-Lex™ XT Discs, Fine and
Superfine
Ra = 0.08 micron
60
50
Surface Temperature ºC
OneGloss®
Ra = 0.38 micron
40
30
20
10
0
Before Treatment
T= 0
Sof-Lex™ Enhance®
Spiral
Finisher
Sof-Lex™
Spiral
Polisher
T = 30 seconds
PoGo®
Sof-Lex™ Spiral Finishing and Polishing Wheels
The beige Sof-Lex™ Spiral Finishing Wheel is indicated to smooth and remove scratches in restorations developed during contouring.
The white Sof-Lex™ Spiral Polishing Wheel is indicated for the final high gloss polishing. Both wheels should be used on slowspeed handpieces at the recommended speeds of 10,000 – 20,000 rpm. Water spray is not needed during use. Several factors
can affect the final finish of a restoration: the resin matrix and fillers within the restorative material, finishing instruments and
preparation design.
Spiral Polishing Wheel
Spiral Finishing Wheel
Technology
The unique “bristle” shape is adapted for 3M ESPE from
patented radial bristle disc design developed by 3M Abrasives
Division. This technology affords:
• A continuous supply of mineral to work surfaces
• A variety of grits, diameters and thickness
• A flexible instrument that conforms to surfaces
• The instrument doesn’t generate a lot of
heat during use
3M ESPE optimised this design for dental applications
which provides a product in 2 grits that:
• Easily adapts to all tooth surfaces, eliminating the
use of multiple tools (shapes) for a single purpose to
fit various contours
• Can be used on anterior and posterior restorations
• Sof-Lex Spiral Finishing Wheel (beige) removes
scratches from the restoration surface (similar to
the Sof-Lex™ Discs, Fine)
• Sof-Lex Spiral Polishing Wheel (white) polishes the
restoration to a high gloss, natural-looking surface
(similar to the Sof-Lex™ Discs, Superfine)
• No paste or water cooling necessary
• Utilizes the easy to use “pop-on” mandrel
• Single use
The Sof-Lex System Procedure
Sof-Lex™ Spiral Finishing and Polishing Wheels are designed to fit perfectly into the Sof-Lex™ System. They use the same mandrel
as the discs – and because the discs and wheels feature easy, pop-on mounting, you can move efficiently through your contouring,
finishing and polishing procedure. Sof-Lex discs, strips and spiral wheels are colour-coded from dark (coarse) to light (superfine) for
an easily followed step-by-step process.
POLISH
FINISH
FINAL CONTOUR GROSS REDUCTION
Sof-Lex™ Sof-Lex™ Sof-Lex™
Discs
XT Discs Strips
Sof-Lex™
Spiral
Wheels
Anterior
Posterior
Interproximal
∙ Excess removal
∙ Shape anatomy
∙ Remove airinhibited layer
Sof-Lex™ Discs, Coarse
Rotating coarse or medium
contouring instruments
(e.g., diamonds, carbide burs,
stones)
Rotating coarse or medium
contouring instruments
(e.g., diamonds, carbide burs,
stones)
Sof-Lex™ XT Discs, Coarse
Sof-Lex™ Strips
∙ Coarse/Medium
∙ Coarse/Medium, Narrow
∙ Reduce surface
roughness
∙ Complete and
∙ refine contours
and margins
Sof-Lex™ Discs, Medium
Rotating medium or fine
contouring instruments
(e.g., yellow or red ring
diamonds)
Rotating medium or fine
contouring instruments
(e.g., yellow or red ring
diamonds)
Sof-Lex™ XT Discs, Medium
Sof-Lex™ Strips
∙ Coarse/Medium
∙ Coarse/Medium, Narrow
∙ Remove
scratches
∙ Smooth surface
∙ Pre-polish
Sof-Lex™ Spiral Finishing Wheel
Sof-Lex™ Discs, Fine
Sof-Lex™ Spiral Finishing Wheel Sof-Lex™ Spiral Finishing Wheel
Sof-Lex™ XT Discs, Fine
Sof-Lex™ Strips, Fine/Superfine
∙ Final polish to
high gloss
Sof-Lex™ Spiral Polishing Wheel Sof-Lex™ Spiral Polishing Wheel Sof-Lex™ Spiral Polishing Wheel
Sof-Lex™ Discs, Superfine
Sof-Lex™ XT Discs, Superfine
Sof-Lex™ Strips, Fine/Superfine
www.3MESPE.com
3M Deutschland GmbH
Location Seefeld
3M ESPE · ESPE Platz
82229 Seefeld · Germany
info3mespe@mmm.com
www.3MESPE.com
3M, ESPE, Filtek, Lava and
Sof-Lex are trademarks of
3M or 3M Deutschland GmbH.
Used under license in Canada.
All other trademarks are owned
by other companies.
© 2013, 3M. All rights
reserved.
XX (0X.2013)