Effect of Grinding and Regenerative Heat Treatment on the Fracture Resistance of a Zirconia/Porcelain Veneer Interface.

PURPOSE: To experimentally assess the effect of regenerative heat treatment (HT) on yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline ceramic (Y-TZP) to guarantee veneer adhesion strength. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One surface of bar-shaped Y-TZP specimens was ground (G) with a diamond stone, while the control samples (C) were not. Groups C900 and G900 were submitted to HT at 900°C for 60 min, whereas groups C1000 and G1000 were submitted to HT at 1000°C for 30 min. The treated surfaces were characterized by x-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and optical and mechanical profilometry. The energy release rate through interface fracture was determined by a four-point bending test on notched Y-TZP veneered specimens. XRD was refined by the Rietveld method, mean roughness (Ra) and energy release rate were submitted to two-way ANOVA (a = 0.05), and the images were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: The monoclinic phase (vol%), means of Ra (µm), and the energy release rate (J/m2) were, respectively: C = 1.2/0.17/6.8, C900 = 0.0/0.18/6.6, C1000 = 0.0/0.18/7.6, G = 2.6/1.16/8.3, G900 = 0.0/1.07/8.0, and G1000 = 0.0/1.01/5.7. The surface fraction of monoclinic zirconia increased by grinding and decreased by HT. Ra also increased after grinding (p < 0.005) but remained unaltered after HT (p = 0.22). Increased irregularity was observed in the G groups and a subtle smoothing of the surface after HT. After the fracture of the bilayers, a residual amount of porcelain could be seen on the zirconia surface in all groups. The energy release rate was statistically equal among all groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Heat treatment after grinding completely restored the tetragonal phase of zirconia without altering the energy release rate during interfacial fracture.

Y-TZP zirconia regeneration firing: Microstructural and crystallographic changes after grinding.

This study evaluated microstructural and crystallographic phase changes after grinding (G) and regeneration firing/anneling (R) of Y-TZP ceramics. Thirty five bars (LavaTM and Ice Zirkon) were divided: Y-TZP pre-sintered, control (C), regeneration firing (R), dry grinding (DG), dry grinding+regeneration firing (DGR), wet grinding (WG) and wet grinding+regeneration firing (WGR). Grinding was conducted using a diamond bur and annealing at 1,000°C. The microstructure was analyzed by SEM and the crystalline phases by X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD showed that pre-sintered specimens contained tetragonal and monoclinic phases, while groups C and R showed tetragonal, cubic and monoclinic phases. After grinding, the cubic phase was eliminated in all groups. Annealing (DGR and WGR) resulted in only tetragonal phase. SEM showed semi-circular cracks after grinding and homogenization of particles after annealing. After grinding, surfaces show tetragonal and monoclinic phases and R can be assumed to be necessary prior to porcelain layering when grinding is performed.

Effects of whitening dentifrice on yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal surfaces after simulating brushing.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The changes that occur after brushing yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) are unknown. These changes may favor the retention of microorganisms and chemisorption of water, impairing its longevity. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of a whitening dentifrice on Y-TZP surfaces after simulating 10 years of brushing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-two bar-shaped specimens (20×4×1.2 mm) were divided into 4 groups: storage in distilled water (SW, control), brushing with distilled water (BW), brushing with dentifrice (BD), and brushing with whitening dentifrice (BWD). Brushing was conducted using a linear brushing machine (878400 cycles, 0.98 N, soft toothbrush). The mean roughness (Ra) was analyzed with a profilometer and the superficial topography with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at baseline and after treatment. Crystalline phases were characterized using x-ray diffraction. Baseline and posttreatment Ra were analyzed using the 1-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD multiple comparison test; the paired t test was used for intragroup comparison (all α=.05). RESULTS: The Ra (µm) means (before/after treatment) were SW 0.28/0.28; BW 0.32/0.31; BD 0.28/0.36; BWD 0.30/0.20. No statistically significant difference was found for Ra at baseline (P=.108) than for posttreatment results (P<.001); the BD group had higher Ra values when compared with baseline (P=.019); the BWD group had the lowest values (P<.001). The BD surfaces showed pronounced scratches and detachment of the surface, while BWD showed smoother surfaces; similar crystallographic results among groups were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Brushing Y-TZP with conventional dentifrice increased roughness, while brushing with whitening dentifrice reduced roughness. Neither dentifrice changed the crystallographic phases after brushing.

Surface roughness and hardness of yttria stabilized zirconia (Y-TZP) after 10 years of simulated brushing / Avaliação da rugosidade e dureza da zircônia Y-TZP após simulação de 10 anos de escovação

Introduction: The Y-TZP zirconia used for prosthetic infrastructure, in some clinical situations, can be exposed to the oral environment. In these situations, a polished surface without changes is extremely important. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the mean roughness (Ra) and Vickers hardness of Y-TZP zirconia (LavaTM) after simulating ten years of brushing. Material and method: Thirty-six Y-TZP bar-shaped specimens (20mm X 4mm X 1.2mm) were divided into three groups: storage in distilled water (DW, n=12, control); brushing with distilled water (BDW, n=12) and brushing with distilled water and fluoride toothpaste (BFT, n=12). Brushing was performed using a brushing machine with a soft-bristled toothbrush, simulating 10 years of brushing (878.400 cycles, 100gf). The mean roughness (Ra in µm)) and Vickers hardness (VHN) of all specimens were measured twice: before and after the experimental treatment, in profilometer and microhardness tester (500gf, 30 seconds), respectively. Data were analyzed using the two-way ANOVA test (α = 0.05). Result: The interaction between groups was not significant for roughness (p = 0.701) nor for hardness (p = 0.928). The final averages for Ra (μm) were equal to: DW - 0.63; BDW - 0.64; and, BFT - 0.68. The final averages for Vickers hardness (VHN) were: DW - 1301.16; BDW - 1316.60; and, BFT - 1299.58. Conclusion: It was concluded that the brushing with distilled or fluoridated toothpaste was not able to change the roughness and hardness of Y-TZP zirconia used in this study. .

Introdução: A zircônia estabilizada por ítria (Y-TZP) utilizada para infraestruturas protéticas pode, em algumas situações clínicas, ficar exposta ao meio bucal, e nessas situações, uma superfície sem alterações e polida é extremamente importante. Objetivo: Assim, este estudo avaliou a rugosidade média (Ra) e a dureza Vickers da zircônia LavaTM após simulação de dez anos de escovação. Material e método: Foram confeccionados 36 espécimes (20mm X 4mm X 1,2mm), divididos em três grupos: armazenamento em água destilada (AD, n=12, controle), escovação com água destilada (EAD, n=12) e escovação com água destilada e dentifrício fluoretado (EDF, n=12). A escovação foi realizada em máquina de escovação simulando 10 anos (878.400 ciclos, lOOgf) com escova dental macia. A rugosidade média (Ra, em µm) e a dureza Vickers (VHN) de todos os corpos-de-prova foram mensuradas em dois momentos: antes e após o tratamento experimental, em rugosímetro e microdurômetro (500gf, 30 segundos), respectivamente. Os dados foram analisados por meio do teste two-way ANOVA (α=0,05). Resultado: A interação entre os grupos não foi significativa tanto para a rugosidade (p=0,701) quanto para a dureza (p=0,928), sendo as médias finais de Ra (µm) iguais a: AD - 0,63; EAD - 0,64 e EDF - 0,68 e as de dureza Vickers (VHN) iguais a: AD - 1301,16; EAD - 1316,60 e EDF - 1299,58. Conclusão: Concluiu-se que o procedimento de escovação com água destilada ou com dentifrício fluoretado não foi capaz de alterar a rugosidade e a dureza da zircônia Y-TZP utilizada neste estudo. .