Rodrigo Othávio de Assunção e Souza

Effect of air-particle abrasion protocols on the biaxial flexural strength, surface characteristics and phase transformation of zirconia after cyclic loading

This study evaluated the effect of air-particle abrasion protocols on the biaxial flexural strength, surface characteristics and phase transformation of zirconia after cyclic loading. Disc-shaped zirconia specimens (Ø: 15mm, thickness: 1.2mm) (N=32) were submitted to one of the air-particle abrasion protocols (n=8 per group): (a) 50μm Al2O3 particles, (b) 110μm Al2O3 particles coated with silica (Rocatec Plus), (c) 30μm Al2O3 particles coated with silica (CoJet Sand) for 20s at 2.8bar pressure. Control group received no air-abrasion. All specimens were initially cyclic loaded (×20,000, 50N, 1Hz) in water at 37°C and then subjected to biaxial flexural strength testing where the conditioned surface was under tension. Zirconia surfaces were characterized and roughness was measured with 3D surface profilometer. Phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic was determined by Raman spectroscopy. The relative amount of transformed monoclinic zirconia (FM) and transformed zone depth (TZD) were measured using XRD. The data (MPa) were analyzed using ANOVA, Tukeys tests and Weibull modulus (m) were calculated for each group (95% CI). The biaxial flexural strength (MPa) of CoJet treated group (1266.3±158(A)) was not significantly different than that of Rocatec Plus group (1179±216.4(A,B)) but was significantly higher than the other groups (Control: 942.3±74.6(C); 50μm Al2O3: 915.2±185.7(B,C)). Weibull modulus was higher for control (m=13.79) than those of other groups (m=4.95, m=5.64, m=9.13 for group a, b and c, respectively). Surface roughness (Ra) was the highest with 50μm Al2O3 (0.261μm) than those of other groups (0.15-0.195μm). After all air-abrasion protocols, FM increased (15.02%-19.25%) compared to control group (11.12%). TZD also showed increase after air-abrasion protocols (0.83-1.07μm) compared to control group (0.59μm). Air-abrasion protocols increased the roughness and monoclinic phase but in turn abrasion with 30μm Al2O3 particles coated with silica has increased the biaxial flexural strength of the tested zirconia.

Low-temperature degradation of a Y-TZP ceramic after surface treatments.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of zirconia surface treatments on low-temperature degradation (LTD). Disc-shaped specimens were subjected to one of four surface treatments, denoted as C (control-no surface treatment), Si (air abrasion with 30 µm silica-modified alumina particles), Al (air abrasion with 30 µm alumina particles), and Gr (grinding with 120 grit diamond discs). Half of the samples were submitted to autoclave treatment for 12 h (127°C, 1.5 bar). Samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction and profilometer analysis and were subjected to biaxial flexural strength test. All of the groups exhibited an increase in the amount of monoclinic phase (m-phase) after LTD. The t→m transformation was remarkable for the specimens from the C group, which also exhibited a significant increase in strength. The Gr group also exhibited an increase in strength but lower initial roughness, which probably suppressed LTD on the zirconia surface. The specimens subjected to air abrasion exhibited higher initial amounts of m-phase and a small increase in m-phase after LTD; the strength was not affected in these groups. The effects of LTD were different with each surface treatment applied. Apparently, LTD may be suppressed by smoother surfaces or the presence of an initial amount of m-phase on zirconia surface.

Air-particle abrasion on zirconia ceramic using different protocols: Effects on biaxial flexural strength after cyclic loading, phase transformation and surface topography

This study evaluated the effect of different air-particle abrasion protocols on the biaxial flexural strength and structural stability of zirconia ceramics. Zirconia ceramic specimens (ISO 6872) (Lava, 3M ESPE) were obtained (N=336). The specimens (N=118, n=20 per group) were randomly assigned to one of the air-abrasion protocols: Gr1: Control (as-sintered); Gr2: 50 µm Al2O3 (2.5 bar); Gr3: 50 µm Al2O3 (3.5 bar); Gr4: 110 µm Al2O3(2.5 bar); Gr5: 110 µm Al2O3 (3.5 bar); Gr6: 30 µm SiO2 (2.5 bar) (CoJet); Gr7: 30 µm SiO2(3.5 bar); Gr8: 110 µm SiO2 (2.5 bar) (Rocatec Plus); and Gr9: 110 µm SiO2 (3.5 bar) (duration: 20 s, distance: 10 mm). While half of the specimens were tested immediately, the other half was subjected to cyclic loading in water (100,000 cycles; 50 N, 4 Hz, 37 °°C) prior to biaxial flexural strength test (ISO 6872). Phase transformation (t→m), relative amount of transformed monoclinic zirconia (FM), transformed zone depth (TZD) and surface roughness were measured. Particle type (p=0.2746), pressure (p=0.5084) and cyclic loading (p=0.1610) did not influence the flexural strength. Except for the air-abraded group with 110 µm Al2O3 at 3.5 bar, all air-abrasion protocols increased the biaxial flexural strength (MPa) (Controlnon-aged: 1,030 ± 153, Controlaged: 1,138 ± 138; Experimentalnon-aged: 1,307 ± 184-1,554 ± 124; Experimentalaged: 1,308 ± 118-1,451 ± 135) in both non-aged and aged conditions, respectively. Surface roughness (Ra) was the highest with 110 µm Al2O3(0.84 µm. FM values ranged from 0% to 27.21%, higher value for the Rocatec Plus (110 µm SiO2) and 110 µm Al2O3 groups at 3.5 bar pressure. TZD ranged between 0 and 1.43 µm, with the highest values for Rocatec Plus and 110 µm Al2O3 groups at 3.5 bar pressure.

Influence of Surface Treatment on the Shear Bond Strength of Ceramics Fused to Cobalt-Chromium

PURPOSE To evaluate the influence of surface treatment on the shear bond strength between a Co-Cr alloy and two ceramics. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-eight metal cylinders were made (thickness: 4 mm, height: 3.7 mm) according ISO TR 11405. The 48 metallic cylinders were divided into four groups (n = 12), according to the veneering ceramic (StarLight Ceram and Duceram Kiss) and surface treatments: air-particle abrasion with Al(2)O(3) or tungsten drill (W). Gr1: StarLight + Al(2)O(3); Gr2: StarLight + W; Gr3: Duceram + Al(2)O(3); and Gr4: Duceram + W. The specimens were aged using thermal cycling (3000x, 5 to 55 degrees C, dwell time: 30 seconds, transfer time: 2 seconds). The shear test was performed with a universal testing machine, using a load cell of 100 kg (speed: 0.5 mm/min) and a specific device. The bond strength data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukeys test (5%), and the failure modes were analyzed using an optical microscope (30x). RESULTS The means and standard deviations of the shear bond strengths were (MPa): G1 (57.97 +/- 11.34); G2 (40.62 +/- 12.96); G3 (47.09 +/- 13.19); and G4 (36.80 +/- 8.86). Ceramic (p= 0.03252) and surface treatment (p= 0.0002) significantly affected the mean bond strength values. CONCLUSIONS Air-particle abrasion with Al(2)O(3) improved the shear bond strength between metal and ceramics used.

Marginal and Internal Discrepancies Related to Margin Design of Ceramic Crowns Fabricated by a CAD/CAM System

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the marginal discrepancy (MD) and internal discrepancy (ID) of ceramic crowns manufactured by a CAD/CAM system, having different finish lines. The hypotheses tested were that the finish line type would not influence the MD or ID of the crowns, and ID would not change in different regions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three aluminum master dies (height: 5.5 mm, Ø: 7.5 mm, conicity: 6°) with different finish lines (TC: tilted chamfer; LC: large chamfer; RS: rounded shoulder) were manufactured. Ten impressions were made from each master die using a modified parallelometer. Impressions were poured in type IV dental stone, and 30 ceramic crowns (IPS Empress CAD, Ivoclar) were subsequently milled. The crowns were fixed on their respective metallic die using a metallic fixation device. The distance between the external edges of the crown to the edge of the cervical preparation was performed at 50 points on the respective metallic die (MD analysis). With the replica technique, the ID values of each crown were further evaluated at 12 points equidistant to each other in three regions: radius (R), axial (A), and occlusal (Occl). The measurements were performed using an optical microscope (250×). The data (μm) were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukeys test (5%). RESULTS The RS group (28.24 ± 11.42 μm) showed significantly lower MD values (p= 0.001) than those of TC (99.92 ± 18.32 μm) and LC (64.71 ± 25.64 μm) groups, both of which also differed statistically from one another. The ID results demonstrated significantly lower values in the LC group (183.01 ± 62.82 μm) (p= 0.0014) than those of TC (216.26 ± 83.23 μm) and RS (219.12 ± 87.24 μm) groups. ID results of TC and RS were not significantly different. Additionally, the ID results showed significant differences among the regions (p= 0.0001). The null hypotheses were rejected. CONCLUSION The RS finish line produced MD values significantly lower than tilted and large chamfer, but large chamfer presented the lowest internal discrepancy values. Independent of the finish line type, internal discrepancy was the lowest in the axial region followed by radius and occlusal regions.

Effects of aging procedures on the topographic surface, structural stability, and mechanical strength of a ZrO2-based dental ceramic

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of different aging methods on the degradation and flexural strength of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) METHODS: Sixty disc-shaped specimens (∅, 12mm; thickness, 1.6mm) of zirconia (Vita InCeram 2000 YZ Cubes, VITA Zahnfabrik) were prepared (ISO 6872) and randomly divided into five groups, according to the aging procedures (n=10): (C) control; (M) mechanical cycling (15,000,000 cycles/3.8Hz/200N); (T) thermal cycling (6,000 cycles/5-55°C/30s); (TM) thermomechanical cycling (1,200,000 cycles/3.8Hz/200N with temperature range from 5°C to 55°C for 60s each); (AUT) 12h in autoclave at 134°C/2bars; and (STO) storage in distilled water (37°C/400 days). After the aging procedures, the monoclinic phase percentages were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and topographic surface analysis was performed by 3D profilometry. The specimens were then subjected to biaxial flexure testing (1mm/min, load 100kgf, in water). The biaxial flexural strength data (MPa) were analyzed by 1-way ANOVA and Tukeys test (α=0.05). The data for monoclinic phase percentage and profilometry (Ra) were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunns tests. RESULTS ANOVA revealed that flexural strength was affected by the aging procedures (p=0.002). The M (781.6MPa) and TM (771.3MPa) groups presented lower values of flexural strength than did C (955MPa), AUT (955.8MPa), T (960.8MPa) and STO (910.4MPa). The monoclinic phase percentage was significantly higher only for STO (12.22%) and AUT (29.97%) when compared with that of the control group (Kruskal-Wallis test, p=0.004). In addition, the surface roughnesses were similar among the groups (p=0.165). SIGNIFICANCE Water storage for 400 days and autoclave aging procedures induced higher phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic; however, they did not affect the flexural strength of Y-TZP ceramic, which decreased only after mechanical and thermomechanical cycling.

Morphology and bacterial colonisation of tooth/ceramic restoration interface after different cement excess removal techniques

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the influence of different protocols for resin cement removal during cementation on biofilm formation. METHODS Twenty-eight ceramic blocks, which were injected under pressure, were placed over enamel blocks obtained from freshly extracted bovine incisors. The ceramic blocks were cemented to the enamel blocks using a dual-cured resin cement and the excess resin was removed according to the experimental group: TS: Teflon spatula; BR: brush; BR+: brush and polishing; SB+: scalpel blade and polishing. After autoclaving, the samples were colonised by incubation in a sucrose broth suspension standardised with Streptococcus mutans in microaerophilic stove. Specimens were quantitatively analysed for bacterial adherence at the adhesive interface using confocal laser scanning microscopy and counting the colony forming units, and qualitatively analysed using SEM. The roughness (Ra/Rz/RSm) was also analysed. Data were analysed by 1-way ANOVA and Tukeys test (5%). RESULTS The roughness values ranged from 0.96 to 1.69 μm for Ra (p>0.05), from 11.59 to 22.80 μm for Rz (p=0.02<0.05) and from 293.2 to 534.3 μm for RSm (p=0.00). Bacterial adhesion varied between 1,974,000 and 2,814,000 CFU/ml (p=0.00). Biofilm mean thickness ranged from 0.477 and 0.556 μm (p>0.05), whilst the biovolume values were between 0.388 and 0.547 μm(3)/μm(2) (p=0.04). Lower values for roughness, bacterial adhesion, biofilm thickness and biovolume were found with BR, whilst TS presented the highest values for most of the parameters. SEM images confirmed the quantitative values. CONCLUSIONS The restoration margin morphology and interface roughness affects bacterial accumulation. The brush technique promoted less bacterial colonisation at the adhesive interface than did the other removal methods. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The brush technique seems to be a good option for removing the excess resin cement after adhesive cementation in clinical practice, as indicated by its better results with lower bacterial colonisation.

Opaque Layer Firing Temperature and Aging Effect on the Flexural Strength of Ceramic Fused to Cobalt-Chromium Alloy

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of the opaque layer firing temperature and mechanical and thermal cycling on the flexural strength of a ceramic fused to commercial cobalt-chromium alloy (Co-Cr). The hypotheses were that higher opaque layer temperatures increase the metal/ceramic bond strength and that aging reduces the bond strength. MATERIALS AND METHODS Metallic frameworks (25 x 3 x 0.5 mm(3); ISO 9693) (N = 60) were cast in Co-Cr and airborne-particle abraded (Al(2)O(3): 150 mum) at the central area of the frameworks (8 x 3 mm(2)) and divided into three groups (N = 20), according to the opaque layer firing temperature: Gr1 (control)-900 degrees C; Gr2-950 degrees C; Gr3-1000 degrees C. The opaque ceramic (Opaque, Vita Zahnfabrick, Bad Säckingen, Germany) was applied, and the glass ceramic (Vita Omega 900, Vita Zahnfabrick) was fired onto it (thickness: 1 mm). While half the specimens from each group were randomly tested without aging (water storage: 37 degrees C/24 hours), the other half were mechanically loaded (20,000 cycles; 50 N load; distilled water at 37 degrees C) and thermocycled (3000 cycles; 5 degrees C to 55 degrees C, dwell time: 30 seconds). After the flexural strength test, failure types were noted. The data were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA and Tukeys test (alpha= 0.05). RESULTS Gr2 (19.41 +/- 5.5 N) and Gr3 (20.6 +/- 5 N) presented higher values than Gr1 (13.3 +/- 1.6 N) (p= 0.001). Mechanical and thermal cycling did not significantly influence the mean flexural strength values (p > 0.05). Increasing the opaque layer firing temperature improved the flexural bond strength values (p < 0.05). The hypotheses were partially accepted. CONCLUSION Increasing of the opaque layer firing temperature improved the flexural bond strength between ceramic fused to Co-Cr alloy.

Deposition of SiOx thin films on Y-TZP by reactive magnetron sputtering: influence of plasma parameters on the adhesion properties between Y-TZP and resin cement for application in dental prosthesis

In this paper SiOx thin films were deposited on Y-TZP ceramics by reactive magnetron sputtering technique in order to improve the adhesion properties between Y-TZP and resin cement for applications in dental prosthesis. For fixed cathode voltage, target current, working pressure and target-to-substrate distance, SiOx thin films were deposited at different oxygen concentrations in the Ar+O2 plasma forming gas. After deposition processes, SiOx thin films were characterized by profilometry, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Adhesion properties between Y-TZP and resin cement were evaluated by shear testing. Results indicate that films deposited at 20%O2 increased the bond strength to (32.8 ± 5.4) MPa. This value has not been achieved by traditional methods.

Effect of Sodium Ascorbate and the Time Lapse before Cementation after Internal Bleaching on Bond Strength between Dentin and Ceramic

PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of the elapsed time (ET) after nonvital bleaching (NVB) and sodium ascorbate application (10%) (SAA) on the shear bond strength of dentin to ceramic. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bovine incisors were selected, internally bleached (35% carbamide peroxide) for 9 days and submitted to the following treatments (n = 10): G1, G2, G3-luting after 1, 7, and 14 days; G4, G5, and G6-luting after SAA, 1, 7, and 14 days, respectively. G7 and G8 were not bleached: G7-luting 24 hours after access cavity sealing; G8-luting 24 hours after access cavity sealing after SAA. After NVB, the vestibular dentin was exposed and flattened. The SAA was applied to the dentin (G4, G5, G6, G8) for 10 minutes, and it was then washed and dried. The dentin was etched (37% phosphoric acid), and an adhesive system (Single Bond 2) was applied. Feldspathic ceramic discs (VM7; 4-mm diameter, 3-mm thick) were luted with a dual-resin agent (RelyX ARC, 3M ESPE Dental Products, St. Paul, MN). After 24 hours, specimens were submitted to shear test on a universal testing machine. The data (MPa) were submitted to ANOVA and Dunnets test (5%). RESULTS The means (+/- SD) obtained were (MPa): G1 (14 +/- 4.5), G2 (14.6 +/- 3.1), G3 (14 +/- 3.7), G4 (15.5 +/- 4.6), G5 (19.87 +/- 4.5), G6 (16.5 +/- 3.7), G7 (22.8 +/- 6.2), and G8 (18.9 +/- 5.4). SAA had a significant effect on bond strength (p= 0.0054). The effect of ET was not significant (p= 0.1519). G5 and G6 presented higher values than the other bleached groups (p < 0.05) and similar to G7 and G8 (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS After NVB, adhesive luting to dentin is recommended after 7 days if sodium ascorbate has been applied prior to dentin hybridization.