AIM: To compare and evaluate the effect of three different polishing methods in reducing the tooth surface roughness after scaling and root planing. Materials & methods: 60 freshly extracted incisors were included in the present study. Only those specimens were obtained which were extracted because of periodontal reasons. After randomization, three study groups were formed with 20 specimens in each group as follows: Group 1: Polishing was done with rubber cups and prophylactic paste, Group 2: Polishing was done with air polisher and Group 3: Polishing was done with stain buster burs. Results: On comparing the before polishing and after polishing values among group 1 specimens, statistically significant results were obtained. On comparing the before polishing and after polishing values among group 2 specimens, statistically non-significant results were obtained except for Rt values. On comparing the before polishing and after polishing values among group 3 specimens, statistically significant results were obtained. After polishing, whilecomparing the Ra, Rq, Rz, Rmax and Rt values in between group 1 andgroup 2 & in between group 2 and group 3, significant results were obtained. However; while comparing in between group 3 and group 1, statistically non- significant results were obtained. Hence; while analysing and comparing the results statistically, the efficacy of the three study groups was found in following order: GROUP 1 = GROUP 3 > GROUP 2. Conclusion: Repeated polishing has iatrogenic effects depending on increasing the life time of the teeth. Careful selection of patients on whom polishing will be applied will reduce the complications and adverse effects. In the presentstudy, we tried to create a scientific guide for the clinical application of polishing processes. According to the results, stain buster burs seem to be an alternative to traditional polishing materials because they provide smooth surfaces like prophylaxis paste and ease of application like air-polishing techniques.