Hyun Pil Lim

Sintering behavior and mechanical properties of zirconia compacts fabricated by uniaxial press forming

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare the linear sintering behavior of presintered zirconia blocks of various densities. The mechanical properties of the resulting sintered zirconia blocks were then analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three experimental groups of dental zirconia blocks, with a different presintering density each, were designed in the present study. Kavo Everest® ZS blanks (Kavo, Biberach, Germany) were used as a control group. The experimental group blocks were fabricated from commercial yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia powder (KZ-3YF (SD) Type A, KCM. Corporation, Nagoya, Japan). The biaxial flexural strengths, microhardnesses, and microstructures of the sintered blocks were then investigated. The linear sintering shrinkages of blocks were calculated and compared. RESULTS Despite their different presintered densities, the sintered blocks of the control and experimental groups showed similar mechanical properties. However, the sintered block had different linear sintering shrinkage rate depending on the density of the presintered block. As the density of the presintered block increased, the linear sintering shrinkage decreased. In the experimental blocks, the three sectioned pieces of each block showed the different linear shrinkage depending on the area. The tops of the experimental blocks showed the lowest linear sintering shrinkage, whereas the bottoms of the experimental blocks showed the highest linear sintering shrinkage. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study, the density difference of the presintered zirconia block did not affect the mechanical properties of the sintered zirconia block, but affected the linear sintering shrinkage of the zirconia block.

The effect of plasma on shear bond strength between resin cement and colored zirconia

PURPOSE To investigate the effect of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTAPP) treatment on shear bond strength (SBS) between resin cement and colored zirconia made with metal chlorides. MATERIALS AND METHODS 60 zirconia specimens were divided into 3 groups using coloring liquid. Each group was divided again into 2 sub-groups using plasma treatment; the experimental group was treated with plasma, and the control group was untreated. The sub-groups were: N (non-colored), C (0.1 wt% aqueous chromium chloride solution), M (0.1 wt% aqueous molybdenum chloride solution), NP (non-colored with plasma), CP (0.1 wt% aqueous chromium chloride solution with plasma), and MP (0.1 wt% aqueous molybdenum chloride solution with plasma). Composite resin cylinders were bonded to zirconia specimens with MDP-based resin cement, and SBS was measured using a universal testing machine. All data was analyzed statistically using a 2-way ANOVA test and a Tukey test. RESULTS SBS significantly increased when specimens were treated with NTAPP regardless of coloring (P<.001). Colored zirconia containing molybdenum showed the highest value of SBS, regardless of NTAPP. The molybdenum group showed the highest SBS, whereas the chromium group showed the lowest. CONCLUSION NTAPP may increase the SBS of colored zirconia and resin cement. The NTAPP effect on SBS is not influenced by the presence of zirconia coloring.

Cell response to a newly developed Ti-10Ta-10Nb alloy and its sputtered nanoscale coating

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM The success of titanium implants is due to osseointegration or the direct contact of the implant surface and bone without a fibrous connective tissue interface. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the osteoblast precursor response to titanium - 10 tantalum - 10 niobium (Ti-Ta-Nb) alloy and its sputtered coating. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ti-Ta-Nb coatings were sputtered onto the Ti-Ta-Nb disks. Ti6-Al-4V alloy disks were used as controls. An osteoblast precursor cell line, were used to evaluate the cell responses to the 3 groups. Cell attachment was measured using coulter counter and the cell morphology during attachment period was observed using fluorescent microscopy. Cell culture was performed at 4, 8, 12 and 16 days. RESULTS The sputtered Ti-Ta-Nb coatings consisted of dense nanoscale grains in the range of 30 to 100 nm with alpha-Ti crystal structure. The Ti-Ta-Nb disks and its sputtered nanoscale coatings exhibited greater hydrophilicity and rougher surfaces compared to the Ti-6Al-4V disks. The sputtered nanoscale Ti-Ta-Nb coatings exhibited significantly greater cell attachment compared to Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-Ta-Nb disks. Nanoscale Ti-Ta-Nb coatings exhibited significantly greater ALP specific activity and total protein production compared to the other 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS It was concluded that nanoscale Ti-Ta-Nb coatings enhance cell adhesion. In addition, Ti-Ta-Nb alloy and its nanoscale coatings enhanced osteoblast differentiation, but did not support osteoblast precursor proliferation compared to Ti-6Al-4V. These results indicate that the new developed Ti-Ta-Nb alloy and its nanoscale Ti-Ta-Nb coatings may be useful as an implant material.

Evaluation of Sandblasting on Mechanical Properties and Cell Response of Bioactive Glass Infiltrated Zirconia

This study investigated the mechanical properties and initial cell response of bioactive glass infiltrated zirconia before and after sandblasting. One hundred zirconia specimens were divided into the following four groups: untreated zirconia (ZR), sandblasted zirconia (ZS), glass infiltrated zirconia (ZG), and sandblasted glass infiltrated zirconia (ZGS). Surface roughness, biaxial flexural strength, hardness and osteoblast cells proliferation were evaluated. ZGS group showed a slight decrease in hardness. However it has improvement in flexural strength (686.2 MPa). After sandblasting, the ZGS group had the highest surface roughness (R a = 1.24 μm) with enhanced osteoblast cells response. Our results indicated that sandblasting method can improve the mechanical properties of bioactive glass infiltrated zirconia with better osteoblast cell response. This new surface is promising for zirconia dental implant application in the future.

Effect of Infiltration with Ferric Oxide Containing Glass on the Color and Mechanical Properties of Zirconia

This study was to examine the effects of ferric oxide contents, which is one of the components of a newly developed glass, on the color and mechanical strengths of zirconia surfaces after glass infiltration. The composition of bioactive glass contained: SiO2–Al2O3–Na2O–MgO–BaO–CaO–Nb2O5–TiO2–Fe2O3. 84 presintered zirconia discs (diameter 15 mm, height 1.2 mm) were prepared. The experimental groups were divided into 6 groups by Fe2O3 contents of 0, 1, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 2.9 wt%. Non-glass infiltrated zirconia was used as a control. Bioactive glass was coated on the presintered zirconia disc by a spin coating and infiltrated into zirconia by complete sintering at 1450°C for 2 hr. The color of the specimens was measured using a digital spectrophotometer and biaxial flexural strength and fracture toughness was compared. The colors of glass infiltrated zirconia were from yellow to yellowish orange according to ferric oxides contents and those were within the range of natural teeth colors. The mechanical properties of glass infiltrated zirconia were not inferior to those of zirconia. Glass infiltration with ferric oxide into zirconia can improve the color and mechanical properties of zirconia and be applicable for dental purpose.