ABSTRACT
Tooth preparation for fixed prosthesis should take into account some principles in order to obtain regular surfaces and smooth textures on the cervical surface. This way it will be possible to achieve uniform prosthesis seating on the tooth structure and the best marginal adaptation, contributing to the fixed prosthesis durability. The surface regularization (that allows the surface finishing) may be performed by different methods and instruments, which may show different results. Eleven teeth were embedded in epoxy resin and finished with different instruments: ultrasonic tip, fine grain diamond burs assembled to turbineand to a multiplier handpiece. The samples were analyzed with SEM and the results subjected to Mann-Whitney test to determine statistical significance. The best results for this surface preparation were obtained using fine grain diamond burs assembled to a multiplier handpiece or through an ultrasonic tip.
