Effect of thermal expansion mismatch on the Y-TZP/veneer interfacial adhesion determined by strain energy release rate

The effect of surface treatments on the adhesive bond in all-ceramic dental crowns using four-point bending and dynamic loading tests

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sandblasting, grinding and plasma treatment on the adhesive bond strength between framework ceramic (Y-TZP) and veneering ceramic (feldspar ceramic). Therefore, four-point bending specimens (n = 180) were cut from densely sintered 3Y-TZP blanks. Subsequently, 80 of these samples received surface treatment by sandblasting and 80 samples by grinding. A reference group (20 samples) was not processed. Half of the specimens that received a surface treatment were additionally exposed to an oxygen plasma treatment. After processing, all specimens were manually veneered with feldspar ceramic and examined with a four-point bending test to evaluate the strain energy release rate G. The surface treatment parameters that achieved the highest and lowest G were transferred to real geometries of a posterior crown (n = 45). The crowns' ceramic framework was sandblasted and veneered by hand. The all-ceramic crowns were tested in a dynamic loading test and Wöhler curves were evaluated. Four-point bending samples blasted at an angle of 90° at 6 bar and a working distance of 1.5 cm without plasma treatment achieved the highest energy release rate. Samples blasted at an angle of 90° at 2 bar and a working distance of 1 cm with plasma treatment achieved the lowest energy release rate. Overall, plasma treatment did not improve bond strength. In the dynamic loading test, the group blasted with 2 bar showed the best results.

An engineering perspective of ceramics applied in dental reconstructions

The demands for dental materials continue to grow, driven by the desire to reach a better performance than currently achieved by the available materials. In the dental restorative ceramic field, the structures evolved from the metal-ceramic systems to highly translucent multilayered zirconia, aiming not only for tailored mechanical properties but also for the aesthetics to mimic natural teeth. Ceramics are widely used in prosthetic dentistry due to their attractive clinical properties, including high strength, biocompatibility, chemical stability, and a good combination of optical properties. Metal-ceramics type has always been the golden standard of dental reconstruction. However, this system lacks aesthetic aspects. For this reason, efforts are made to develop materials that met both the mechanical features necessary for the safe performance of the restoration as well as the aesthetic aspects, aiming for a beautiful smile. In this field, glass and high-strength core ceramics have been highly investigated for applications in dental restoration due to their excellent combination of mechanical properties and translucency. However, since these are recent materials when compared with the metal-ceramic system, many studies are still required to guarantee the quality and longevity of these systems. Therefore, a background on available dental materials properties is a starting point to provoke a discussion on the development of potential alternatives to rehabilitate lost hard and soft tissue structures with ceramic-based tooth and implant-supported reconstructions. This review aims to bring the most recent materials research of the two major categories of ceramic restorations: ceramic-metal system and all-ceramic restorations. The practical aspects are herein presented regarding the evolution and development of materials, technologies applications, strength, color, and aesthetics. A trend was observed to use high-strength core ceramics type due to their ability to be manufactured by CAD/CAM technology. In addition, the impacts of COVID-19 on the market of dental restorative ceramics are presented.

Shear Bond Strength of Two Repair Systems to Zirconia Ceramic by Different Surface Treatments

Introduction: Intraoral repair has been suggested as a treatment option to repair the chipping or fracture of veneered zirconia; the success of the procedure is mainly determined by the bonding between zirconia and composite resin. The present study aimed to investigate and compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of two intraoral repair systems to zirconia ceramic treated with a laser or air-abrasion surface modification. Methods: Ninety tube-shaped samples (diameter of 10 mm and height of 4 mm) were divided into three main groups: Group I (zirconia 100%, n=30); Group II (veneer ceramic 100% n=30); Group III (zirconia with a veneer ceramic n=30). Each main group was subdivided into two subgroups (n=15): Subgroup A: samples repaired with Ceramic Repair N; Subgroup B: samples repaired with the Cimara Repair System. The subgroup samples were further subdivided based on the treated surface (n=5 samples): Control (no surface modification), Er,Cr:YSGG laser surface modification, and air-abrasion surface modification. The SBS was employed using a universal testing machine. The mode of failure was observed using a stereomicroscope. Results: Significant differences were observed in the mean SBS values between the different surface modifications (P˂0.05). Tukey's post hoc test showed that the air-abrasion surface modification of the veneer ceramic repaired with the Ceramic repair N system had the highest mean value (13.74 MPa) among the different groups, while no surface modification of zirconia repaired with the Cimara repair system had the lowest mean value (2.84 MPa). The control group (no surface modification) had the lowest mean value among all the treated groups. Conclusion: The SBS is surface modification-dependent, and higher SBS is obtained by air-abrasion than Er, Cr:YSGG laser surface modifications with the selected parameters. The Ceramic repair N system had significantly higher SBS for all surface-treated substrates than the Cimara repair system.

On the behaviour of zirconia-based dental materials: A review

Zirconia-based dental materials are extensively used in clinical practice due to their tooth-like appearance, biofunctionality, biocompatibility, and affordability. However, premature clinical failures of veneering porcelains raise a concern about their integrity. Extensive studies have been performed over a decade to resolve this issue, but it is challenging to reference all information effectively. A single source identifying the significance of potential parameters on material performance has not previously been available. An evidence-based meta-narrative review technique was used to review the characteristic parameters that can affect the overall behaviour of zirconia-based materials. Keywords were chosen to assess manuscripts based on scientific coherence with this paper's research objective. Online keyword searches were carried out on ScienceDirect, PubMed, and SAGE databases for relevant published manuscripts from year 1985-2020.261 out of 3170 identified manuscripts were included. A total of 10 parameters were identified and classified into the material, manufacturing, and geometric aspects. The effect of every parameter was reviewed on the performance of the material. A discrepancy in findings was observed and is attributed to the fact that there is no standard methodology. This review acts as a single source that summarizes various parameters' contribution to zirconia-based dental materials' performance. This review facilitates manufacturing improvements by accounting for every parameter's effect on overall performance.

Does Diamond Stone Grinding Change the Surface Characteristics and Flexural Strength of Monolithic Zirconia?

PURPOSE

The present study evaluated the effect of grinding on the surface morphology, mean roughness, crystalline phase, flexural strength, and Weibull modulus of monolithic (MZ) and conventional (CZ) zirconias.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

CZ and MZ bars and square-shaped specimens were distributed into three subgroups, combining grinding (G) and irrigation (W) with distilled water: Ctrl (Control: no grinding, 20 × 4 × 1.2 mm and 12 × 1.2 mm), DG (dry grinding, 20 × 4 × 1.5 mm and 12 × 1.5 mm), and WG (grinding with irrigation, 20 × 4 × 1.5 mm and 12 × 1.5 mm). The grinding (0.3 mm) was performed on a standardized device using a low-rotation wheel-shaped diamond stone. The four-point flexural strength test was performed on the EMIC 2000 machine (5 KN, 0.5 mm/min). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the surface morphology. An X-ray diffractometer (XRD) was used to obtain the crystalline structures that were analyzed by the Rietveld method. Flexural strength (FS) values were subjected to the Shapiro-Wilk test and two-way analysis of variance followed by the Tukey's test (for all tests, α=0.05).

RESULTS

Grinding, either with or without irrigation, did not change the FS of the MZ but increased the FS of the CZ. Both MZ and CZ showed similar morphologic patterns after grinding, and in the WG groups, the grinding was more aggressive. The MZ had greater monoclinic content in all groups; grinding without irrigation caused the smallest t→m transformation.

CONCLUSION

The grinding, when necessary, should be carried out without irrigation for conventional and monolithic zirconias.

A thick frame decreases the fracture toughness of veneering ceramics used for zirconia-based all-ceramic restorations

PURPOSE

To investigate the influence of firing condition and thickness of a yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) frame on the fracture toughness of veneering ceramics.

METHODS

Layering and pressable ceramics without frames or on 0.8- and 1.2-mm-thick Y-TZP frames were fired with 5 schedules (normal and 4 customized conditions). The fracture toughness of the ceramics was measured at 0.5-2.5mm from the frame by the indentation fracture method. Crystal structures at the measurement points were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

RESULTS

Under customized firing conditions, the fracture toughness of the layering ceramic significantly decreased, particularly near the frame. Use of a 1.2-mm-thick frame significantly decreased the fracture toughness of both layering and pressable ceramics compared to ceramics without the frame. The decreased fracture toughness only occurred close (0.5 and 1.0mm) to the frame. XRD analysis showed identical diffraction patterns between points near and far from the frame, suggesting that the decreased fracture toughness was not due to crystal defects or impurities. SEM revealed many microcracks and large crystals in layering ceramic near the 1.2-mm-thick frame, possibly resulting from the thermal properties of the zirconia frame, such as large heat capacity and low thermal conductivity.

CONCLUSIONS

Modification of the firing conditions from the manufacturer's instructions and inclusion of a thick Y-TZP frame decreased the fracture toughness of veneering ceramics at the interface, suggesting that a thick frame would pose a potent fracture risk in veneering ceramics used for zirconia-based all-ceramic restorations.

Effect of slow-cooling protocol on biaxial flexural strengths of bilayered porcelain-ceria-stabilized zirconia/alumina nanocomposite (Ce-TZP/A) disks

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigated the biaxial flexural strengths of bilayered ceria-stabilized zirconia/alumina nanocomposite (Ce-TZP/A) disks with various layering porcelains veneered using a slow-cooling protocol.

METHODS

Five porcelain materials (VITA VM9, Cercon Ceram Kiss, and Vintage ZR with experimental coefficient of thermal expansions; CTEs of 8.45, 9.04, and 9.61ppm/°C) were veneered on Ce-TZP/A disks and slow-cooled after firing to fabricate bilayered specimens (core-to-porcelain thickness: 0.8mm/1.5mm). Biaxial flexural strengths of the specimens with the porcelain layer in tension were tested based on the piston-on-three-ball method (ISO 6872:2008). The data were statistically analyzed using Weibull distribution and Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Tensile stresses were observed in the entire porcelain layer while compressive stress at the surface of the Ce-TZP/A layer shifted to tensile stress at the interface between the materials. The cases of small CTE mismatches between the materials showed high Weibull characteristic strengths at the internal and external surfaces of the specimens, except the VM9 group (CTE: 9.0-9.2ppm/°C). The maximum tensile stress was observed on the surface of the porcelain layer, where cracks originated and continuously propagated into the Ce-TZP layer. The Ce-TZP/A fractured into two pieces for large CTE mismatches between the materials, resulting in significantly lower flexural strengths than those fracturing into three pieces for small CTE mismatches.

SIGNIFICANCE

Flexural strengths and fracture behaviors of bilayered porcelain-Ce-TZP/A disks were influenced by the CTE mismatches, and a small CTE mismatch between the materials was preferred when using a slow-cooling protocol.

Influence of ageing on glass and resin bonding of dental glass-ceramic veneer adhesion to zirconia: A fracture mechanics analysis and interpretation

Adhesion plays a major role in the bonding of dental materials. In this study the adhesion of two glass-ceramic systems (IPS e.max and VITABLOCS) to a zirconia sintered substrate using a glass (for IPS e.max) and resin (VITABLOCS) before and after exposure to ageing for 14 days in distilled water at 37 °C are compared using two interfacial fracture mechanics tests, the 3 point bend Schwickerath (Kosyfaki and Swain, 2014; Schneider and Swain, 2015) and 4 point bend (Charalambides et al., 1989) approaches. Both tests result in stable crack extension from which the strain energy release rate (G, N/m or J/m²) can be determined. In the case of the 3 PB test the Work of Fracture was also determined. In addition, the Schwickerath test enables determination of the critical stress for the onset of cracking to occur, which forms the basis of the ISO (ISO9693-2:2016) adhesion test for porcelain ceramic adhesion to zirconia. For the aged samples there was a significant reduction in the resin-bonded strengths (Schwickerath) and strain energy release rate (both 3 and 4 PB tests), which was not evident for the glass bonded specimens. Critical examination of the force-displacement curves showed that ageing of the resin resulted in a major change in the form of the curves, which may be interpreted in terms of a reduction in the critical stress to initiate cracking and also in the development of an R-curve. The extent of the reduction in strain energy release rate following ageing was greater for the Schwickerath test than the Charalambides test. The results are discussed in terms of; the basic mechanics of these two tests, the deterioration of the resin bonding following moisture exposure and the different dimensions of the specimens. These in-vitro results raise concerns regarding resin bonding to zirconia.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The present study uses a novel approach to investigate the role of ageing or environmental degradation on the adhesive bonding of two dental ceramics to zirconia. This continues to be a major clinical problem but current approaches, till now, have relied upon a myriad of strength based tests to quantify the extent of environmental degradation with time. In this paper we use two fracture mechanics approaches, based upon simple 3 and 4 point bend testing procedures that enable stable debonding crack extension to occur. The paper provides a more critical approach to evaluate the role of environmental degradation of adhesion for dental materials.

Role of coefficient of thermal expansion on bond strength of ceramic veneered yttrium-stabilized zirconia

Background

Incompatible coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is supposed to be a reason for chipping of ceramic veneered zirconia. This study evaluates the effect of veneering ceramic at varied CTE on bond strength to zirconia.

Material and Methods

Zirconia disks (Z, Ø 10 mm, 1.0 mm thickness) were prepared from Y-TZP (Cercon®) and sintered at 1350°C for 6 hours. All zirconia disks were veneered with ceramics ((Ø 7.0 mm, 1.5 mm thickness) with varied CTE including VITADur® alpha (VDα), VITAVM®7 (VM7), VITAVM®9 (VM9), Cercon® ceramkiss (CCK), IPSe.max® ceram (IeC), and IPS dSIGN® (IdS) (n=15). The specimens were thermo-cycled (5-55 °C, 500 cycles) prior to determine the shear bond strength on a universal testing machine. The veneering ceramic and zirconia rods (Ø 4 mm, 30 mm length) were prepared for CTE evaluation. ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparisons were used to determine the statistically significant difference (α=0.05). Weibull analysis was applied for survival probability, Weibull modulus (m), and characteristics strength (σo) of the shear bond. The interfaces were microscopically examined. The phase transformation of zirconia was determined using X ray diffraction.

Results

The mean±sd (MPa), m, and σo of bond strength were 20.45±2.32, 9.25, and 21.53 for Z-VDα, 19.47±4.53, 4.66, and 20.31 for Z-VM7, 21.05±3.96, 5.61, and 21.88 for Z-IeC, 25.85±2.74, 9.93, and 27.15 for Z-VM9, 25.82±4.39, 6.27, and 27.06 for Z-CCK, and 2.96±0.73, 4.11, and 3.28 for Z-IdS. The CTE (×10-6/°C) were 10.80, 7.83, 7.87, 9.86, 9.93, 10.03, and 12.95 for Z, VDα, VM7, IeC, VM9, CCK, and IdS. The bond strength was significantly affected by the CTE difference (p<0.05). The t→m phase transformation related with the CTE difference.

Conclusions

The CTE's differences induced stress that affected the bond strength. CTE's compatibility of veneering ceramic to zirconia is crucial for enhancing the bond strength. The CTE difference approximately 0.77-0.87×10-6/°C was recommended. Key words:Bond strength, coefficient of thermal expansion, zirconia.

Thermal cracks of implant-based zirconia four-unit restorations: A fractographic analysis of two restorations fractured during production

Two zirconia-based 4-unit restorations intended for the same patient fractured during the veneering process even though the prolonged cooling protocol recommended by the manufacturers was used. Fractographic analyses revealed that both restorations fractured as a result of thermal shock, but at different times during production. Further investigation is necessary to optimize the firing protocols for large zirconia-based restorations and avoid fracture due to thermal shock.

Effect of Lithium Disilicate Reinforced Liner Treatment on Bond and Fracture Strengths of Bilayered Zirconia All-Ceramic Crown

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of a lithium-disilicate spray-liner application on both the bond strength between zirconia cores and heat-pressed lithium-disilicate glass-ceramic veneers, and the fracture strength of all-ceramic zirconia crowns. A lithium-disilicate reinforced liner was applied on the surface of a zirconia core and lithium-disilicate glass-ceramic was veneered on zirconia through heat press forming. Microtensile and crown fracture tests were conducted in order to evaluate, respectively, the bonding strength between the zirconia cores and heat pressed lithium-disilicate glass-ceramic veneers, and the fracture strength of bilayered zirconia all-ceramic crowns. The role of lithium-disilicate spray-liner at the interface between zirconia and lithium-disilicate glass-ceramic veneers was investigated through surface and cross-sectional analyses. We confirmed that both the mean bonding strength between the zirconia ceramics and lithium-disilicate glass-ceramic veneers and the fracture strength of the liner-treated groups were significantly higher than those of the untreated groups, which resulted, on the one hand, from the chemical bonding at the interface of the zirconia and lithium-disilicate liner, and, on the other, from the existence of a microgap in the group not treated with liner.

Effect of liner and porcelain application on zirconia surface structure and composition

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an effect of liner and porcelain application (layering and pressing techniques) on the surface of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZP), which were exposed to permutations of liner, layered porcelain, and pressed porcelain. Scanning electron microscope (SEM)/energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS) was used to identify changes in composition and microstructure after removing liner and porcelain with hydrofluoric acid. Simulated aging was also conducted to determine the effect of liner and porcelain on low-temperature degradation. The control group had a typical equiaxed grain structure, referred to as unaffected. When covered with liner or porcelain, some areas changed in structure and composition and were termed affected. The frequency of affected structure decreased when liner was covered with either layered porcelain or pressed porcelain. There were statistical differences (P<0.05) in the composition between affected and unaffected for zirconium (layered porcelain with liner: affected=60% (0.8%) (m/m), unaffected=69% (4%), layered porcelain without liner: affected=59% (3%), unaffected=65% (3%)) and oxygen (layered porcelain with liner: affected=35% (2%), unaffected=26% (4%), layered porcelain without liner: affected=35% (3%), unaffected=30% (2%)). However, there were statistical differences (P<0.05) in the composition for zirconium and oxygen of the aged layered porcelain without liner only. The liner should not be used before porcelain application, especially when using the layering technique for zirconia restorations. Furthermore, pressing should be considered the technique of choice over layering.

Modified maximum tangential stress criterion for fracture behavior of zirconia/veneer interfaces

The veneering porcelain sintered on zirconia is widely used in dental prostheses, but repeated mechanical loadings may cause a fracture such as edge chipping or delamination. In order to predict the crack initiation angle and fracture toughness of zirconia/veneer bi-layered components subjected to mixed mode loadings, the accuracy of a new and traditional fracture criteria are investigated. A modified maximum tangential stress criterion considering the effect of T-stress and critical distance theory is introduced, and compared to three traditional fracture criteria. Comparisons to the recently published fracture test data show that the traditional fracture criteria are not able to properly predict the fracture initiation conditions in zirconia/veneer bi-material joints. The modified maximum tangential stress criterion provides more accurate predictions of the experimental results than the traditional fracture criteria.

Effect of repeated firings on flexural strength of veneered zirconia

OBJECTIVE

Chipping and/or delamination represent a clinical failure of porcelain fused to zirconia (PFZ) prostheses. Causes and solutions have not been completely clarified. The present study was aimed at evaluating the effects of number of firings on the flexural strength of PFZ specimen.

METHODS

Forty-five zirconia specimens in shape of bars were cut, sintered and divided in 3 groups (n=15). Group 1: veneering ceramic was layered "in bulk" and fired. Group 2: veneering ceramic was layered in three layers, individually fired. Group 3: veneering ceramic was layered in five layers, individually fired. Each layer thickness was controlled by the use of calibrated molds. The total veneering ceramic thickness for all the specimens was 1.2mm, and the total thickness of the specimen of 2.0mm. Three-point bending test was performed. Fracture load was recorded in Newton and MPa value was calculated taking into account the bi-layered nature of the specimen. Data were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Specimens obtained with on single firing cycle obtained a statistically significant (p<0.001) lower flexural strength (54.61±8.98MPa) than specimens veneered with 3 or 5 firing cycles. The last two obtained very similar results (77.63±13.17MPa and 73.62±12.38MPa respectively) and the differences was not statistically significant.

SIGNIFICANCE

In bi-layered PFZ specimen, three to five layers and firings determine higher flexural resistance when compared to a single firing. Thus, a 3-layers veneering procedure is recommended to increase flexural resistance. If a 5-layer procedure is necessary to improve esthetics, it does not decrease flexural resistance.

Adhesion determination of dental porcelain to zirconia using the Schwickerath test: strength vs. fracture energy approach

Two approaches to measure the fracture energy to delaminate four different porcelains from zirconia substrates are compared using Schwickerath adhesion strength test specimens. In all instances it was possible to stably extend the crack along or adjacent to the porcelain-zirconia interface. The fracture energy expended to delaminate the porcelain was found by determining the work of fracture upon loading to 12 N and then unloading. Additional tests were undertaken on specimens notched along the interface, which enabled the compliance of the cracked Schwickerath specimens to be calibrated. The strain energy and deflection of the Schwickerath specimen as a function of crack length were derived. On this basis a simple expression was determined for the strain energy release rate or interfacial fracture toughness from the minima in the force-displacement curves. Consequently two measures of the adhesion energy were determined, the work of fracture and the strain energy release rate. It was found that the ranking for the four porcelains bonded to zirconia differed depending upon the approach. The work of fracture was substantially different from the strain energy release rate for three of the porcelain-zirconia systems and appears to be directly related to the residual stresses present in the bonded structures. The relative merits of the strain energy release rate, work of fracture vs. the stress to initiate cracking in the case of the Schwickerath adhesion test, are discussed. The advantage of this test is that it enables three estimates of the adhesion for porcelain veneers bonded to zirconia.

Interfacial adhesion of zirconia/veneer bilayers with different thermal characteristics

The aim of this study was to investigate how changes in the thermal characteristics of veneer ceramics with almost identical chemical and mechanical properties but with different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) can modify their interfacial adhesion to zirconia. 48 bilayers made of one Y-TZP ceramic and four veneer ceramics were fabricated (n=12). Thermal residual stresses were calculated on the basis of the CTE and glass transition temperatures. After defined notching all specimens were loaded in a four-point bending test and the critical loads were recorded which induced stable crack extension at the adhesion interface. The strain energy release rate (G, J/m(2)) was calculated and was taken as a measure of interfacial adhesion. The CTE of the veneer ceramics were significantly correlated with their adhesion to Y-TZP (p<0.001). Interfacial adhesion in zirconia/veneer bilayers is predominantly affected by the thermal characteristics of the veneer ceramic.

Intraoral treatment of veneering porcelain chipping of fixed dental restorations: a review and clinical application

BACKGROUND

Every dental ceramic system can experience failure of the veneering porcelain. However, the increasing popularity of all-ceramic crowns and fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) seems to have led to an increasing need to repair chipped veneering porcelain.

OBJECTIVES

The authors compared different methods to repair fractured ceramic restorations (porcelain-fused-to-metal and all-ceramic) and explain the basic principles of adhesion in these systems. They also evaluated the frequency and causes of failure in dental ceramic systems.

METHODS

This review is based on the results of PubMed and Google Scholar searches, as well as on a hand search of the scientific literature, resulting in 300 articles from 1977 to 2012. The authors used multiple key words (ceramic, repair, bonding, hydrofluoric acid, air abrasion, silane, phosphates, silicon dioxide) and different strategies (connecting different key words with OR, NOR and AND and truncation of the stem of words) to search the databases.

RESULTS

Because of differences in the material composition of ceramic systems (composed of metal, alumina or zirconia, glass-ceramics and feldspathic ceramics), different treatments are required for the exposed material surfaces after chipping. Use of hydrofluoric acid etching, air abrasion, tribochemical coating, silanization and metal primers or zirconia primers seem to be the most successful conditioning methods for durable bonding and repair.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Intraoral repair of a restoration offers a satisfying option for the patient when the restoration cannot be removed or replaced. Its success depends largely on the conditioning methods used for the fractured surfaces.

Enhancement of the adhesion between cobalt-base alloys and veneer ceramic by application of an oxide dissolving primer

OBJECTIVES

Uncontrolled formation of an oxide layer on base metal alloy surface impairs adhesion between the alloy and veneer ceramic. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of an oxide dissolving primer on the adhesion between cobalt-base alloys and a veneer ceramic.

METHODS

Combinations of two cobalt-base alloys (Bärlight/BL, Cara Process/CP) and one veneering ceramic (HeraCeram) were investigated. 40 rectangular specimens of each alloy were covered with the veneer ceramic; half of the alloy samples were treated with an oxide dissolving primer (NP-Primer) prior to veneering (n=20). Subsequently, the veneering surface was ground flat and notched using the single-edge V-notched-beam method. Then specimens were loaded in a four-point bending test and the critical load to induce stable crack extension at the adhesion interface was determined, in order to calculate the strain energy release rate (G, J/m(2)). Finally, fracture surfaces of the specimens were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

RESULTS

Strain energy release rates averaged between 24.1J/m(2) and 28.8 J/m(2). While application of the primer statistically significantly increased adhesion between alloy and ceramic with the BL specimens (p=0.035), no significant influence was found for the CP specimens (p=0.785). For both material combinations, SEM analysis revealed enhanced wetting of the alloy surfaces with ceramic after application of the primer.

SIGNIFICANCE

Application of an oxide dissolving primer increases the wettability of cobalt-base alloy surfaces and thus improves adhesion to veneering ceramics. This may enhance the long-term stability of bilayer restorations made from these materials.

Surface treatment of dental porcelain: CO2 laser as an alternative to oven glaze

This work tested continuous CO2 laser as a surface treatment to dental porcelain and compared it to oven glaze (auto-glaze) by means of roughness and color parameters. Three commercial veneering porcelains with different crystalline content were tested: VM7, VM9, and VM13. Porcelain discs (3.5 × 2.0 mm, diameter × height) were sintered and had one side ground by a diamond bur (45 μm) simulating a chairside adjustment in a clinical office. Specimens (n = 7) were divided into the following groups: C--control (no treatment), G--auto-glaze (oven), and L--surface continuous irradiation with CO2 laser (Gem Laser, Coherent; λ = 10.6 μm). Laser was tested in three exposure times (3, 4, or 5 min) and two irradiances (45 and 50 W/cm(2)). Roughness parameters (Ra, Rz, and Rpm/Rz) were measured using a rugosimeter (Surftest 301, Mitutoyo). Color differences (ΔE) between the G and L groups were calculated (VITA Easyshade); ΔE values up to 3.3 were considered as not perceivable. A surface analysis was conducted by stereomicroscopy (Olympus SZ61) and SEM (Stereoscan 440, LEO). Crystalline content of specimens from groups C and L (50 W/cm(2), 5 min) was assessed by X-ray diffraction and then compared. Surface roughness (Ra and Rz) observed for laser-irradiated groups was similar to G for all studied porcelains. Rpm/Rz ratios were near 1.0 for all groups that indicated a sharp ridge profile for all specimens. Only one laser condition studied (50 W/cm(2), 3 min) from VM7 porcelain resulted in color difference (ΔE = 3.5) to G. Specimens irradiated with 50 W/cm(2) for 5 min presented the smoother surface observed by SEM, comparable to G. X-ray diffraction data revealed an increase in leucite crystallite size for VM9 and VM13 porcelains after laser treatment. Regarding roughness, continuous CO2 laser applied on porcelain surface was as effective as conventional oven auto-glaze.