The effect of various polishing systems on surface roughness and phase transformation of monolithic zirconia

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare three polishing systems on the surface roughness and phase transformation of monolithic zirconia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 disk shaped specimens (10 mm diameter, 3 mm thickness) were fabricated from monolithic zirconia blocks. 20 specimens were left as a control group and remaining specimens were grinded by diamond bur to simulate the occlusal adjustments. Grinded specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups: group G (no polishing), group M (Meisinger, zirconia polishing kit), group E (EVE Diacera, zirconia polishing kit), and group P (EVE Diapol, porcelain polishing kit). Surface roughness was measured with profilometer and surface topography was observed with SEM. XRD analysis was performed to investigate the phase transformation. Statistical analysis was performed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests at a significance level of P=.05. RESULTS: All polishing groups showed a smoother surface than group G. Among 3 polishing systems, group M and group E exhibited a smoother surface than the group P. However, no significant differences were observed between group M and group E (P>.05). Grinding and polishing did not cause phase transformations in zirconia specimens. CONCLUSION: Zirconia polishing systems created a smoother surface on zirconia than the porcelain polishing system. Phase transformation did not occur during the polishing procedure.

Peel strength of denture liner to PMMA and polyamide: laser versus air-abrasion

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of laser parameters and air-abrasion on the peel strength of silicon-based soft denture liner to different denture resins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens (N=180) were prepared out of three different denture base resins (Rodex, cross-linked denture base acrylic resin; Paladent, heat-cured acrylic resin; Deflex, Polyamide resin) (75 mm x 25 mm x 3 mm). A silicon-based soft denture liner (Molloplast B) was applied to the denture resins after the following conditioning methods: a) Air-abrasion (50 microm), b) Er,Cr:YSGG laser (Waterlase MD Turbo, Biolase Technology) at 2 W-20 Hz, c) Er,Cr:YSGG laser at 2 W-30 Hz, d) Er,Cr:YSGG laser at 3 W-20 Hz, e) Er,Cr:YSGG laser at 3 W-30 Hz. Non-conditioned group acted as the control group. Peel test was performed in a universal testing machine. Failure modes were evaluated visually. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha=.05). RESULTS: Denture liner tested showed increased peel strength after laser treatment with different parameters (3.9+/-0.4 - 5.58+/-0.6 MPa) compared to the control (3.64+/-0.5 - 4.58+/-0.5 MPa) and air-abraded groups (3.1+/-0.6 - 4.46+/-0.3 MPa), but the results were not statistically significant except for Paladent, with the pretreatment of Er,Cr:YSGG laser at 3 W-20 Hz. Polyamide resin after air-abrasion showed significantly lower peel strength than those of other groups (3.1+/-0.6 MPa). CONCLUSION: Heat-cured acrylic resin, PMMA, may benefit from Er,Cr:YSGG laser treatment at 3 W-20 Hz irradiation. Air-abrasion of polyamide resins should be avoided not to impair their peel bond strengths to silicon-based soft denture liners.