Pre-sintered Y-TZP sandblasting: effect on surface roughness, phase transformation, and Y-TZP/veneer bond strength

Abstract Sandblasting is a common method to try to improve the Y-TZP/veneer bond strength of dental prostheses, however, it may put stress on zirconia surfaces and could accelerate the t→m phase transformation. Y-TZP sandblasting before sintering could be an alternative to improve surface roughness and bonding strength of veneering ceramic. Objectives. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of Y-TZP pre-sintering sandblasting on surface roughness, phase transformation, and the Y-TZP/veneer shear bond strength. Material and Methods. The Y-TZP specimen surface underwent sandblasting with aluminum oxide (50 μm) pre-sintering (Z-PRE) and post-sintering (Z-POS). Z-CTR was not subjected to surface treatment. After ceramic veneer application, the specimens were subjected to shear bond testing. Surface roughness was analyzed by confocal microscopy. Y-TZP monoclinic and tetragonal phases were evaluated by micro-Raman spectroscopy. Shear bond strength and surface roughness data were analyzed by One-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (α=0.05). Differences in the wave numbers and the broadening bands of the Raman spectra were compared among groups. Results. Z-POS (9.73±5.36 MPa) and Z-PRE (7.94±2.52 MPa) showed the highest bond strength, significantly higher than that of Z-CTR (5.54±2.14 MPa). The Ra of Z-PRE (1.59±0.23 µm) was much greater and significantly different from that of Z-CTR (0.29±0.05 µm) and Z-POS (0.77±0.13 µm). All groups showed bands typical of the tetragonal (T) and monoclinic (M) phases. Y-TZP sandblasting before sintering resulted in rougher surfaces but did not increase the shear bond strength compared to post-sintering and increased surface defects. Conclusions. Surface treatment with Al3O2, regardless of the moment and application, improves the results of Y-TZP/veneer bonding and is not a specific cause of t→m transformation.

Material Selection for Constructing an Intraoral Stent Used in Radiotherapy: Analysis of Density and Structure.

Neck and head cancer is a very common disease. Radiotherapy is one of the treatments, and its side effects affect the patient’s quality of life because the radiation targets both neoplastic and healthy tissues. This study aimed to select material that exhibited the greatest number of characteristics that are biocompatible with human tissue and that are strong enough to construct an intraoral stent. The stent would be used to mechanically isolate the palate, tongue, and mouth floor to prevent radiation in head and neck cancer cases requiring radiotherapy, thereby aiming to decrease the treatment’s side effects. The following materials were selected to be submitted to a first analysis by computed tomography: polyacetal (white and black), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyurethane, and polyvinyl chloride. By observing the density through Hounsfield unit (HU) analysis, the materials with HU values closest to that of water (HU = 0) were selected for the structural analysis after the radiotherapeutic protocol through micro Raman spectroscopy. After undergoing radiation, PMMA with HUs of 177 and 179 without structural modification had the best density results; this was verified by micro Raman spectroscopy. PMMA seems to be a promising material due to its density and structural integrity after the radiotherapeutic protocol. Clinical Significance: The material with the HU value that is most compatible with the oral tissues does not interfere with the action of x-ray beams or with the main function of mechanically isolating the oral tissues, thus reducing the side effects from radiotherapy, improving the patient’s quality of life after the treatment.