The effect of repetitive firings on the color of an alumina ceramic system with varying ceramic shade and thickness.

OBJECTIVE: The color of all-ceramic restorations is one of the main criteria to achieve esthetical success. Many factors such as ceramic thickness, condensation techniques, firing temperature, and numbers can affect the final color of restoration. The purpose of this study was to investigate the color changes in alumina-based ceramic system according to ceramic shade and thickness during the multiple firings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty disc-shaped specimens with two different veneering porcelain shades (A1 or A3), and with three different ceramic thicknesses (0.5, 1, or 1.5 mm), were fabricated from an alumina-based ceramic system. Multiple firings (3, 5, 7, or 9 firings) were performed, and color changes (ΔE00 ) were determined using a spectrophotometer. Repeated-measures ANOVA were used to analyze the data. The Duncan test was used for multiple comparisons (α = .05). RESULTS: The L*a*b* values of the specimens were affected by the number of firings (3, 5, 7, or 9), veneering ceramic shades (A1 or A3) and veneering ceramic thicknesses (0.5, 1, or 1.5 mm). Significant interactions were present between the number of firings, veneering ceramic shade, and veneering ceramic thickness for L* (p < .001), a* (p < .001), and b* (p < .001) values. CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant color change was observed between 3rd and 9th firings. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Veneering ceramic shade, veneering ceramic thickness, and number of firings should be carefully considered to obtain an acceptable color match of the definitive restorations.

In vitro fracture resistance of posterior metal-ceramic and all-ceramic inlay-retained resin-bonded fixed partial dentures.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Inlay-retained resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPDs) are conservative prosthetic restorations; however, their resistance to fracture is not clear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare fracture loads of posterior complete coverage metal-ceramic restorations with all-ceramic inlay-retained RBFPDs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two posterior ceramic RBFPD restorations were divided into 4 groups (n=8): (1) Complete metal-ceramic fixed partial dentures (MC-FPDs) fabricated of Ni-Cr-based alloy (Wirolloy) and veneered with a ceramic (IPS d.SIGN) as the control group; (2) inlay-retained metal-ceramic (MC RBFPDs) with the same materials as the control; (3) inlay-retained lithium disilicate (LD) glass-ceramic (IPS Empress 2) RBFPDs; and (4) inlay-retained zirconia-based (Z) ceramic (Cercon) RBFPDs. Control specimens were prepared to receive conventional complete MC-FPDs designed to include a 1.3-mm-circumferential, 90-degree flat shoulder with rounded angles. Inlay-retained RBFPD specimens were prepared with 2-mm occlusal reduction but without bevels at the occlusal or gingival margins. Specimens were loaded and fracture loads (N) measured at fracture with a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min and 250 kgf load cell. Data were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA and Duncan test (alpha=.001). RESULTS: Fracture loads (mean +/- SD) were greatest for control specimens (1318.43 +/- 211.00 N) and Z-RBFPD (1247.70 +/- 262.51 N) specimens as compared to MC-RBFPD or LD-RBFPD (P < .001). MC-RBFPD exhibited the next highest fracture loads (958.01 +/- 194.29 N), and LD-RBFPD exhibited the significantly lowest values (303.23 +/- 92.54 N) of the materials tested (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Inlay-retained zirconia-based ceramic RBFPDs demonstrated the greatest fracture resistance among all inlay-retained restorations tested.