Does the application of surface treatments in different sintering stages affect flexural strength and optical properties of zirconia?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of surface treatments conducted in presintering and postsintering stages on flexural strength and optical properties of zirconia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens were milled from partially sintered zirconia blocks in different geometries and divided into three main groups as presintered, postsintered, and control groups. Test groups were further divided into three subgroups (n = 10) according to the surface treatments conducted (grinding, Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation, air-borne particle abrasion [APA]). Four-point flexural strength (σ) test and Weibull analysis were conducted. Color differences (ΔE00 ) and translucency parameter (TPab ) were calculated with a spectrophotometer. Surfaces of specimens were scrutinized under FESEM. Data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Postsintered groups exhibited higher σ values (P < .05). Within all groups, highest and lowest σ values were detected at postsintered and presintered APA groups, respectively (P < .05). All ΔE00 values were above the perceptibility threshold (ΔE00 > 0.8). Higher TPab values were obtained and deeper scratches were observed in presintered groups. CONCLUSIONS: Surface treatments performed at postsintering stage had a favorable effect on the flexural strength of all specimens. Surface treatments performed before sintering increased translucency and caused higher ΔE00 values. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Surface treatments performed at different sintering stages can alter mechanical and optical properties of zirconia.

Effect of the application of surface treatments before and after sintering on the flexural strength, phase transformation and surface topography of zirconia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of airborne-particle abrasion (APA) and Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation on 4-point-flexural strength, phase transformation and morphologic changes of zirconia ceramics treated at pre-sintered or post-sintered stage. METHODS: Three hundred and forty-two bar shaped zirconia specimens were milled with different sizes according to the flexural strength test (n = 10), X-ray diffraction (XRD) (n = 4) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) (n = 4) analyses. For each test protocol, specimens were divided into 4 main groups whether the surface treatments applied before or after sintering and whether the specimens received heat treatment or not as pre-sintered, post-sintered no-heat and post-sintered heat-treated groups, and a group was served as control. Main groups were further divided into 6 equal subgroups according to surface treatment method applied (2 W-, 3 W-, 4 W-, 5 W-, 6 W-laser irradiations and APA). Surface treatments were applied to pre-sintered groups before sintering and to post-sintered groups after sintering. Post-sintered heat-treated groups were subjected to veneer ceramic firing simulation after surface treatments. Flexural strength and flexural modulus values were statistically analysed and monoclinic phase content was calculated. Weibull analysis was used to evaluate strength reliability and fractographic analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Highest flexural strength values were detected at post-sintered no-heat APA and 4W-laser groups (P < 0.05). Pre-sintered groups showed statistically lower flexural strength values. Heat treatment decreased the strength of the specimens. Monoclinic phase content was only detected at post-sintered no-heat groups and the highest amount was detected at APA group. Rougher surfaces and deeper irregularities were detected at FE-SEM images pre-sintered groups. CONCLUSIONS: Application of surface treatments at pre-sintered stage may be detrimental for zirconia ceramics in terms of flexural strength. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Treating the surface of zirconia ceramic before sintering process is not recommended due to significant decrease in flexural strength values. 2 W-4 W Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiations can be regarded as alternative surface treatment methods when zirconia restoration would be subjected to veneer ceramic firing procedures.

Color difference of composite resins after cementation with different shades of resin luting cement.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the color difference of nanohybrid and ormocer-based composite resins with different thicknesses when 4 different shades of resin luting cement were used. 56 disc specimens of each composite resin (Aelite aesthetic enamel, Ceram-X mono) with 0.5 and 1 mm thicknesses were fabricated. Baseline color measurements were performed using a clinical spectrophotometer. The specimens of each thicknesses of each resin were randomly divided into 4 groups according to the shades of resin luting cement (white/A1, yellow/universal/A3, transparent and white opaque) (n = 7). Mixed resin cement was applied onto the resin specimens using a Teflon mold in 0.1 mm thickness. Color measurements of cemented composite resin specimens were repeated and color difference (∆E) between baseline and after cementation measurements was calculated. ANOVA and Tukey's test were used for statistical analysis. The opaque shade had significantly increased ∆E values as compared to the other shades (p < 0.05). For all shades except white opaque in both thicknesses, ∆E values of aelite aesthetic enamel were higher as compared to Ceram-X mono. There is no significant difference between 2 thicknesses for both resins in terms of ∆E values. The shade of resin cement and the type of the resin affected the final color; however, the thickness of composite resin had no influence on the final color of restoration. Selecting the shade of resin luting cement before cementation of indirect composite laminate restoration is important to achieve final color match.