Simulated occlusal adjustments and their effects on zirconia and antagonist artificial enamel.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of occlusal adjustments on the surface roughness of yttria-tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) and wear of opposing artificial enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five Y-TZP slabs from each brand (Lava, 3M and Bruxzir, Glidewell Laboratories) with different surface conditions (Control polished - CPZ; Polished/ground - GRZ; Polished/ground/repolished - RPZ; Glazed - GZ; Porcelain-veneered - PVZ; n=5) were abraded (500,000 cycles, 80 N) against artificial enamel (6 mm diameter steatite). Y-TZP roughness (in µm) before and after chewing simulation (CS) and antagonist steatite volume loss (in mm3) were evaluated using a contact surface profilometer. Y-TZP roughness was analyzed by three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and teatite wear by two-way ANOVA and Tukey Honest Difference (HSD) (P=.05). RESULTS: There was no effect of Y-TZP brand on surface roughness (P=.216) and steatite loss (P=.064). A significant interaction effect (P<.001) between surface condition and CS on Y-TZP roughness was observed. GZ specimens showed higher roughness after CS (before CS - 3.7 ± 1.8 µm; after CS - 13.54 ± 3.11 µm), with partial removal of the glaze layer. Indenters abraded against CPZ (0.09 ± 0.03 mm3) were worn more than those abraded against PVZ (0.02 ± 0.01 mm3) and GZ (0.02 ± 0.01 mm3). Higher wear caused by direct abrasion against zirconia was confirmed by SEM. CONCLUSION: Polishing with an intraoral polishing system did not reduce the roughness of zirconia. Wear of the opposing artificial enamel was affected by the material on the surface rather than the finishing technique applied, indicating that polished zirconia is more deleterious to artificial enamel than are glazed and porcelain-veneered restorations.

Effect of silane and MDP-based primers on physico-chemical properties of zirconia and its bond strength to resin cement.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of surface treatments on yttria-tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) characteristics and on resin-mediated zirconia bond. METHODS: Y-TZP slabs were grit blasted with 45µm alumina or with 30µm silica-coated alumina particles. The chemical treatments were: no-chemical treatment (NC), silane-containing primer (SP), MDP (10-Methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate) and silane-containing primer (MPS), MDP-containing primer (MP) and MDP and silane-containing adhesive (MPA). Contact angle as a function of surface roughness (θm) and surface roughness parameter (Sdr) were measured using Fringe Projection Phase Shifting (FPPS). Surface free energy (γsTOT) was calculated with a goniometer. Chemical interaction between primers/adhesive and zirconia was analyzed using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Resin cement microshear bond strength (µSBS) was analyzed at either 24-h or 8-months water storage (37°C). θm values, Sdr values, γsTOT and µSBS values were analyzed using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey test (α=0.05). RESULTS: Chemical treatment had an effect (p<0.001) on all surface parameters analyzed: θm, γsTOT and Sdr. MP-treated group showed higher incidence of P-O-Zr bonds than the other groups, indicating more chemical linkages. Grit blasting (p<0.001) and the interaction chemical treatment*storage (p<0.001) did not affect µSBS; all silane-containing primers showed significant drop in µSBS after aging. SIGNIFICANCE: MDP and/or silane-based solutions affect the physicochemical properties of blasted-zirconia. An MDP-based primer is fundamental to achieve a stable resin-zirconia bonding, but the chemical reactivity of MDP is impaired when this molecule is present in a multicomponent system.