Effects of number of firings and veneer thickness on the color and translucency of 2 different zirconia-based ceramic systems.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Color matching between a zirconia-based ceramic restoration and a natural tooth is a common clinical challenge. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the effects of the number of firings, veneer thickness, and zirconia core translucency on the final color and translucency of zirconia-based ceramic restorations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty disk-shaped zirconia specimens (10×1 mm) were prepared in high and low translucencies (n=30 per translucency group). Each zirconia group was subdivided into 3 subgroups (n=10) veneered with ceramic layers of 0.5-, 1-, and 1.5-mm thicknesses. The specimens were then subjected to 1, 3, 5, and 7 firing times. Color and translucency parameters were measured by using a spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed by using multifactorial repeated measures ANOVA and subgroup analysis (α=.05). RESULTS: The number of firings affected the L*, a*, and b* values and translucency parameter in both zirconia-based systems with different veneer thicknesses (P<.05). Increasing the veneer thickness decreased the translucency parameter and increased the L*, a*, and b* values in both zirconia-based systems (P<.05). The color difference values (ΔE) were the highest between 1 and 3, 1 and 5, and 1 and 7 firings, and the lowest between 5 and 7 firings in both zirconia systems. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated firings and porcelain veneer thickness affected the final color and translucency of both zirconia systems and, consequently, adversely influenced the esthetic outcomes. Thus, these factors should be considered in the tooth preparation and laboratory phase.