Esthetic restorative materials and opposing enamel wear

This in vitro study compared the effects of a gold alloy (Degulor M), four dental ceramics (IPS Empress, IPS Empress 2, Duceram Plus, Duceram LFC) and a laboratory-processed composite (Targis) on the wear of human enamel. The amount of wear of the enamel (dental cusps) and restorative materials (disks) were tested in water at 37 degrees C under standard load (20 N), with a chewing rate of 1.3 Hz and was determined after 150,000 and 300,000 cycles. Before the test, the average surface roughness of the restorative materials was analyzed using the Ra parameter. The results of this study indicate that Targis caused enamel wear similar to Degulor M and resulted in significantly less wear than all the ceramics tested. IPS Empress provoked the greatest amount of enamel wear and Degulor M caused less vertical dimension loss. Targis could be an appropriate alternative material to ceramic, because it is esthetic and produces opposing enamel wear comparable to gold alloy.     

Wear evaluation of MZ100 compared to ceramic CAD/CAM materials

The material and antagonist wear of two CAD/CAM ceramic materials, the laboratory-processed IPS Empress ceramic, and the composite mill block material MZ100 were tested in an artificial wear simulator with human enamel as the antagonistic material. The material samples underwent 50,000 test cycles (1 cycle per second, 50 N) in distilled water. The wear of the material samples and of the opposing enamel was documented after 30,000 and 50,000 cycles with replicas, digitized, and evaluated with a 3D evaluation system. The loss of volume and height caused by wear was calculated. No significant difference between the ceramic materials could be found either in the amount of material or in the amount of antagonist wear. The material wear of MZ100 differed significantly from Vita Mark II only in terms of volume loss. Regarding height loss, MZ100 exhibited a significantly higher wear than all ceramic materials. The wear of the enamel antagonists does not differ significantly between the ceramic materials. With MZ100, however, a significantly smaller amount of enamel wear was found when compared with Empress and Vita Mark II. Despite the highest material wear, MZ100 had the lowest material wear rate, the lowest enamel wear rate, and the lowest total wear rate. The laboratory-processed IPS Empress material had a clearly higher material wear rate than the CAD/CAM materials.     

Wear evaluation of the human enamel opposing different Y-TZP dental ceramics and other porcelains

PurposeThis study examined the wear resistance of human enamel and feldspathic porcelain after simulated mastication against 3 zirconia ceramics, heat-pressed ceramic and conventional feldspathic porcelain.Materials and methodsHuman teeth and feldspathic porcelain cusp were tested against ceramic discs. 5 brands were tested – 3 monolithic zirconia, Prettau, Lava, and Rainbow, one lithium disilicate, IPS e.max Press, and one feldspathic porcelain, Vita-Omega 900. The surface was polished using a 600 grit and 1200 grit SiC paper. Each group was loaded for 300,000 cycles in a chewing simulator. The wear resistance was analyzed by measuring the volume of substance lost. The wear surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscopy to determine the wear characteristics.ResultsVita-Omega 900 led to the greatest amount of enamel wears followed by IPS e.max Press, Prettau, Lava and Rainbow. There was a significant difference between Vita-Omega 900 and IPS e.max Press (p < 0.05). The wear values for human enamel were significantly greater than those for feldspathic porcelain, regardless of the surface roughness of the ceramic specimens (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe wear behaviour of human enamel and feldspathic porcelain varies according to the type of substrate materials. On the other hand, 3 zirconia ceramics caused less wear in the abrader than the conventional ceramic.Clinical significanceDental professionals should be aware of the wear effect of dental restorations on the opposing teeth or restorations. The amount of enamel wear was highest in feldspathic porcelains whereas zirconia ceramics caused less wear on the opposing teeth.     

Marginal toughness of bonded dental ceramics evaluated by determination of the crack length

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the toughness of dental ceramics near a bonded interface using indentation microfracture. METHODS: The ceramics used in the present study were two leucite-reinforced ceramics (IPS Empress and Finesse), one lithia-based ceramic (IPS Empress 2) and one mica-based ceramic (OCC). The ceramic discs were processed according to the manufacturers instructions and were bonded to resinous discs using a resin composite cement. The bonded specimens were sectioned perpendicularly, and micro-Vickers indentations were imprinted at several distances from the bonded interface in the polished ceramic sections. The lengths between the two ends of the radial cracks along the bonded interface were measured. RESULTS: Crack lengthening was recognized when the distance was within 70 microm. In each ceramic, the indentation crack length at 40 microm from the interface was significantly longer than the length at the inner point of the ceramic material (p<0.05). The order of the mean indentation crack lengths at 40 microm was OCC>Finesse>IPS Empress 2>IPS Empress, while the order at 490 microm was Finesse>OCC>IPS Empress>IPS Empress 2. There was a difference between the orders at 40 microm and at 490 microm. SIGNIFICANCE: The behaviour of the indentation crack near the interface differs from that which is distant from the interface. Therefore, it is impossible to estimate the marginal toughness of the ceramic based on the indentation microfracture at the inner point of the ceramic.     

Relative wear of enamel opposing low-fusing dental porcelain

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the wear of human enamel opposing 5 low-fusing dental porcelains and a traditional feldspathic control. In a second experiment, the repeatability of the test method and the effect of ceramic overfiring on enamel wear were also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five low-fusing dental porcelains--Finesse (FI), Rhapsody (RP), IPS d.Sign (DS), Omega 900 (OM), and Duceram LFC (LFC)--and 1 traditional feldspathic porcelain--VMK 68 (VMK)--were formed into disks (n = 10) and used as substrate for the wear test. Enamel was harvested from extracted human molars and machined into cusps with a 5-mm spherical radius (n = 60). The Oregon Health Sciences University oral wear simulator was used to simulate chewing and the size of the resulting enamel wear facets (in mm(2)) were evaluated after a specified number of chewing cycles. A portion of the experiment was duplicated to assess the repeatability of the data and determine the effects of overfiring on enamel wear. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and post hoc tests to determine significant differences. After wear testing, scanning electron micrographs were made using representative ceramic samples from each group. RESULTS: The results indicate that none of the low-fusing ceramics resulted in significantly less wear than the VMK control. In fact, 3 of the low-fusing porcelains (OM, RP, LFC) resulted in significantly greater enamel wear than VMK. Enamel wear was not significantly affected (p = 0.29) by the increased ceramic firing temperature. Wear data were repeatable, with no significant difference (p = 0.56) between the enamel wear from 2 separate experiments. The results from both experiments indicated that ceramic material significantly affected enamel wear (p <0.001). There was significantly less enamel wear opposite DS than LFC. CONCLUSIONS: This work suggests that variations in ceramic composition and microstructure may affect the opposing enamel wear, but that low-fusing temperatures do not necessarily guarantee low enamel wear. Although the clinical relevance of this testing apparatus may be questioned, the testing method was repeatable.     

Effect of glazed and polished surface finishes on the friction coefficient of two low-fusing ceramics

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: All-ceramic and metal-ceramic dental restorations are potentially harmful because they may wear opposing enamel. Wear is a multifactorial process; however, laboratory procedures can minimize the wear process, thus benefiting clinicians and manufacturers. PURPOSE: This in vitro investigation of wear evaluated the physical and tribological characteristics of 2 low-fusing ceramics and dental enamel. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Quantitative and qualitative analyses of 2 low-fusing ceramics (IPS d.Sign and Vita Omega 900) and enamel were performed using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive analyses. Each ceramic was tested using 20 disks (10 mm x 3 mm), of which 10 were glazed and 10 were polished. Ten polished enamel specimens (6 mm x 7 mm) served as the control. The specimens were submitted to a Vickers hardness test for 30 seconds using a 200 g load. The coefficient of friction was determined by using a pin-on-disk test without lubrication (5 N load, 600 seconds, 120 RPM). The data were analyzed using a 1-way analysis of variance and Sheffe analysis (alpha=.05). RESULTS: The same chemical elements were found in both ceramics, and tetragonal leucite was the main component of the crystalline phases. The microhardness of the enamel was significantly different ( P <.05) between the glazed and polished ceramics. There was no significant difference found in the friction coefficient (mean +/- SD) of the enamel (0.286 +/- 0.174), glazed Vita Omega 900 (0.309 +/- 0.085), and glazed IPS d.Sign (0.253 +/- 0.068) specimens. The mean friction coefficient of the polished Vita Omega 900 (0.486 +/- 0.036) and IPS d.Sign (0.446 +/- 0.037) specimens was found to be significantly higher than the enamel and glazed specimens ( P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both ceramics tested presented similar chemical-structural and tribological characteristics. When glazed, they showed tribological similarity to dental enamel.     

Wear of ceramic and antagonist--a systematic evaluation of influencing factors in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: (1) To systematically review the existing literature on in vitro assessments of antagonist wear of ceramic materials; (2) To systematically evaluate possible influencing factors on material and antagonist wear of ceramic specimens. METHODS: The database MEDLINE was searched with the terms "enamel," "wear" and "antagonist." The selected studies were analyzed with regard to wear parameters, type of antagonist and outcome. In the laboratory study, three ceramic materials were selected with different compositions and physical properties: IPS d.SIGN low-fusing metal ceramic, IPS Empress leucite ceramic, e.max Press lithium disilicate ceramic. These materials were subjected to the Ivoclar wear method (Willytec chewing simulator, 120,000cycles, 5kg weight) by systematically modifying the following variables which resulted in 36 tests with 8 specimens in each group: (1) configuration (flat, crown specimen), (2) surface treatment (polish, glaze), (3) type of antagonist (ceramic, two types of enamel stylus). Furthermore, the enamel styluses were cut to measure the enamel thickness and cusp width. Wear of both the material and the antagonist was quantified by scanning plaster replicas of the specimens with a laser scanner (etkon es1) and matching baseline and follow-up data with the Match 3D software (Willytec). The data were log-transformed to stabilize the variance and achieve near normality. To test the influence of specific test parameters, a four-way ANOVA with post hoc tests and Bonferroni correction was applied. RESULTS: The systematic review revealed 20 in vitro studies in which a material and the antagonist wear of the same material was examined. However, the results were inconsistent mainly due to the fact that the test parameters differed widely. Most studies used prepared enamel from extracted molars as the antagonist and flat polished ceramic specimens. The test chamber was filled with water and some sort of sliding movement was integrated in the wear generating process. However, there was a huge variation in relation to the applied force, the used force actuator, the number of cycles, and the frequency of cycles per time as well as the number of specimens. The results of the systematic laboratory tests revealed that the following factors strongly influence the wear: configuration (more material wear of flat versus crown specimens), surface treatment (more antagonist wear of glazed versus polished specimens), the antagonist system (more material wear and less antagonist wear for ceramic stylus versus enamel stylus), and enamel thickness (less wear for thicker enamel). Material wear was not very much different between the materials. However, e.max Press generally caused more antagonist wear than the other two materials, which were quite similar. However, the main influencing factors did not yield consistent results for all the subgroups and there was a huge variability of results within the subgroups especially in those groups that used enamel as antagonist. SIGNIFICANCE: As far as consistency and correlation with clinical studies is concerned, the set-up that consists of unprepared enamel of molar cusps against glazed crowns seems to be the most appropriate method to evaluate a ceramic material with regard to antagonist wear. However, due to the high variability of results large sample sizes are necessary to differentiate between materials, which calls the whole in vitro approach into question.     

The Effect of a Carbonated Beverage on the Wear of Human Enamel and Dental Ceramics

Purpose This study was performed to investigate the effect of a carbonated beverage on the wear of human enamel and three dental ceramics: a conventional porcelain (Vitadur Alpha), a hydrothermal low-fusing ceramic (Duceram-LFC), and a machinable ceramic (Vita Mark II). Materials and Methods Tooth-against-ceramic specimens (10 per group) were tested in a wear machine under a load of 40N, at a rate of 80 cycles per minute, and for a total of 25,000 cycles. The test was performed in distilled water or with intermittent exposure to a carbonated beverage (Coca-Cola). Wear was determined by measuring the height reduction of the tooth specimens and the depth of wear track in the ceramic specimens. Results ANOVA revealed a significant difference among the groups for both enamel and ceramic wear (p < .001). When tested in water. Alpha porcelain caused significantly more enamel wear and also exhibited greater wear than Duceram-LFC and Vita Mark II. However, with exposure to the carbonated beverage, the enamel wear produced by Duceram-LFC did not differ significantly from that produced by Alpha porcelain, and Vita Mark II produced the least amount of enamel wear. Overall, exposure to the carbonated beverage significantly increased the enamel wear. The wear of Duceram-LFC and Vita Mark II increased with exposure to the carbonated beverage. Conclusions It was concluded that exposure to the carbonated beverage accelerated the enamel wear and decreased the wear resistance of Duceram-LFC and Vita Mark II ceramics. Overall, Vita Mark II was shown to be the most resistant to wear and also significantly less abrasive than conventional Alpha porcelain.     

Interface gap size of manually and CAD/CAM-manufactured ceramic inlays/onlays in vitro.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the fit of ceramic inlays manufactured using a recently introduced CAD/CAM-system (Decim) and of two types of laboratory-made heat-pressed ceramics (IPS Empress and Opc). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Extracted human premolars were prepared to receive mesio-occlusodistal (MOD) ceramic inlays, for which 10 Denzir, 10 IPS Empress, and 10 Opc were fabricated. The Denzir restorations were produced by the manufacturer of the CAD/CAM-system, and the IPS Empress and Opc by student dental technicians. Before luting the internal fit on the diestone models and on the premolars was determined using replicas. After luting on the premolars with a resin composite the marginal and internal fit were measured. The values were analyzed statistically using ANOVA and Scheffe's test at a significance level of p<0.05. RESULTS: Before luting there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the internal gap width between the three systems studied when placed on their matching diestone models. When placed on the premolars a significant difference (p<0.01) in the internal fit was seen between Empress and Opc before luting, whereas there were no significant differences (p>0.05) between Empress and Denzir and between Opc and Denzir. Between the diestone models and the premolars there were significant differences (p<0.01) in the internal fit, except for IPS Empress. After luting there were no significant differences (p>0.05) between IPS Empress and Denzir, whereas the marginal gap width was significantly wider (p<0.001) for Opc than for IPS Empress and Denzir. The internal fit was significantly (p<0.001) wider for Opc than for IPS Empress, whereas there were no significant differences (p>0.05) between IPS Empress and Denzir or between Opc and Denzir. CONCLUSION: After luting there were only slight differences in the fit between the restorations fabricated using the three different manufacturing techniques and ceramics. Therefore, long-term follow-up studies are needed to assess the clinical significance of the slight differences between the three systems.     

Three-body wear associated with three ceramics and enamel.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Wear of human enamel is a clinical concern whenever opposing teeth need to be restored using ceramic restorations. PURPOSE: This in vitro study investigated wear of human enamel and 3 dental ceramics: a conventional porcelain (Vitadur Alpha), a low-fusing hydrothermal ceramic (Duceram-LFC), and a machinable ceramic (Vita Mark II) in a 3-body wear test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty pairs of tooth-ceramic specimens were tested in a dental wear machine, under a standard load (40 N), rate (80 cycles/minute), and for 25,000 cycles in a simulated food slurry medium. Amount of wear was determined by measuring the height loss of the tooth and depth of wear track of the ceramic materials. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data, followed by Bonferroni multiple comparisons method to produce sets of simultaneous 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: ANOVA revealed significant differences between the groups for both enamel wear (P =. 002) and ceramic wear (P <.001). Further comparisons (95% CI significance level) revealed that the difference in enamel wear produced by Alpha porcelain and Duceram-LFC ceramic material was not statistically significant, whereas that produced by Vita Mark II ceramic was significantly less. Vita Mark II ceramic was significantly more resistant to wear than Alpha porcelain and Duceram-LFC ceramic. Furthermore, Alpha porcelain was significantly more resistant to wear than Duceram-LFC ceramic. CONCLUSION: The abrasiveness of Alpha porcelain and Duceram-LFC ceramic was similar, yet both were significantly more abrasive than Vita Mark II ceramic. In addition, Vita Mark II was the most wear-resistant ceramic and Duceram-LFC ceramic the least resistant.     

Marginal Gap,Internal Fit,and Fracture Load of Leucite‐Reinforced Ceramic Inlays Fabricated by CEREC inLab and Hot‐Pressed Techniques

Purpose: This in vitro study was designed to evaluate and compare the marginal gap, internal fit, and fracture load of resin‐bonded, leucite‐reinforced glass ceramic mesio‐occlusal‐distal (MOD) inlays fabricated by computer‐aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) or hot pressing. Materials and Methods: Fifty caries‐free extracted human molars were prepared for standardized MOD inlays. Impressions of each specimen were made and poured using type IV dental stone. Dies were randomly divided into two equal groups. Twenty‐five ceramic inlays were fabricated by the hot‐pressed technique using IPS Empress leucite‐reinforced glass ceramics, and the other 25 ceramic inlays were produced by CAD/CAM technology using ProCAD leucite‐reinforced ceramic blocks and CEREC inLab facilities. Inlays were bonded to the teeth using a dual‐cured resin cement. The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours and then thermocycled for 5000 cycles. The marginal gap measurements were taken with a stereomicroscope. Specimens in each group of inlay systems were randomly divided into two subgroups of 10 and 15 specimens each. Ten specimens in each subgroup were sectioned mesiodistally for evaluation of the internal fit. The fracture load of specimens in the second subgroup (n = 15) of the two inlay systems was determined under compressive load in a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed using Student's t‐test at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The mean marginal and internal gap size in both IPS Empress and ProCAD inlays were less than 100 μm; however, the marginal gap for the IPS Empress restorations was significantly higher than that of ProCAD restorations (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the mean internal fit or the fracture load between the two glass ceramic inlays (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The leucite‐reinforced glass ceramic inlay restorations fabricated by CEREC inLab (CAD/CAM) and the hot‐pressed technique provided clinically acceptable marginal and internal fit with comparable fracture loads after luting.     

Effect of Surface Acid Etching on the Biaxial Flexural Strength of Two Hot-Pressed Glass Ceramics

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of surface acid etching on the biaxial flexural strength of two hot-pressed glass ceramics reinforced by leucite or lithium disilicate crystals.
Materials and Methods: Forty glass ceramic disks (14-mm diameter, 2-mm thick) consisting of 20 leucite-based ceramic disks (IPS Empress®) and 20 lithia disilicate-based ceramic (IPS Empress 2®) were produced by hot-pressing technique. All specimens were polished and then cleaned ultrasonically in distilled water. Ten specimens of each ceramic group were then etched with 9% hydrofluoric (HF) acid gel for 2 minutes and cleaned ultrasonically again. The biaxial flexural strength was measured by the piston-on-three-ball test in a universal testing machine. Data based on ten specimens in each group were analyzed by two-way ANOVA  (α= 0.05)  . Microstructure of ceramic surfaces before and after acid etching was also examined by a scanning electron microscope.
Results: The mean biaxial flexural strength values for each group tested were (in MPa): nonetched IPS Empress = 118.6 ± 25.5; etched IPS Empress = 102.9 ± 15.4; nonetched IPS Empress 2 = 283.0 ± 48.5; and etched IPS Empress 2 = 250.6 ± 34.6. The results showed that the etching process reduced the biaxial flexural strengths significantly for both ceramic types ( p = 0.025). No significant interaction between the ceramic type and etching process was found ( p = 0.407).
Conclusion: From the results, it was concluded that surface HF acid etching could have a weakening effect on hot-pressed leucite or lithia disilicate-based glass ceramic systems.     

Bond strength of glass-ceramics on the fluorosed enamel surfaces

OBJECTIVES: Effect of different adhesive luting systems on the shear bond strength of IPS Empress 2 ceramic restorations to fluorosed enamel surface was investigated. METHODS: Forty-eight ceramic discs (2 mm x 3 mm; IPS Empress 2) were fabricated. Twenty-four non-carious extracted human molar teeth with fluorosis and 24 without fluorosis were cleaned with pumice using a plastic brush and then they were divided into two main groups. The IPS Empress 2 ceramic discs were luted to the teeth of four subgroups with two different adhesive luting systems, Variolink 2/Excite DSC (etch-and-rinse) and Clearfil Esthetic Cement/ED Primer II (self-etch), thermocycling was performed 5000 times. Shear bond strengths were tested using Shimadzu Universal Testing Machine until failure. An optical microscope and image analyzer were used at 10x and 1000x magnification to analyze the surfaces for adhesive, cohesive and mixed failure percentages. Data was analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey test at a significance level of p<0.05. RESULTS: Mean shear bond strength data of the groups in MPa were; Variolink 2/Excite DSC on fluorosed enamel: 18.3+/-3.08, Variolink 2/Excite DSC on non-fluorosed enamel: 18.79+/-2.65, Clearfil Esthetic Cement/ED Primer II on fluorosed enamel: 8.43+/-2.45, Clearfil Esthetic Cement/ED Primer II on non-fluorosed enamel: 13.53+/-1.68. Mixed failure was the most prevalent type of failure in moderate fluorosed and non-fluorosed teeth with etch-and-rinse dentin bonding system, and in fluorosed teeth with self-etch dentin bonding system. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an etch-and-rinse adhesive luting procedure produced higher bond strengths of glass-ceramics bonded to fluorosed and non-fluorosed enamel surfaces than the self-etch bonding system.     

三种全瓷基底与其相应饰面瓷的结合性能研究

目的:测试并比较3种全瓷基底材料与其相应饰面瓷的结合强度,为临床选择合适的修复材料提供依据。方法:将成品Lava Frame、Vita In-Ceram Alumina、IPS EmpressⅡ瓷块、StarLoy钴铬合金制成长方体试件,分别在其表面烧结相应的饰面瓷,测试抗剪切强度,激光共聚焦扫描显微镜和扫描电镜观察破坏模式。结果:Lava、Vita、IPS EmpressⅡ、金瓷复合体的抗剪强度值分别为11.40±1.08、9.44±1.23、25.56±1.70、27.02±2.06MPa。IPS EmpressⅡ、金瓷复合体的抗剪切强度显著高于Lava和Vita(P<0.05);IPS EmpressⅡ与金瓷复合体的抗剪切强度差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);Lava与Vita差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。IPS Em-pressⅡ的破坏模式以基底材料破坏为主,Lava、Vita、金瓷复合体以饰面瓷破坏为主。结论:IPS EmpressⅡ基底与饰面瓷的结合强度最高,与金瓷复合体无差别。     

The biaxial flexural strength of two pressable ceramic systems

The biaxial flexural strength of Optimal pressable ceramics and IPS Empress pressable ceramics were tested, compared and the micro-structures and compositions explored. The materials evaluated were Optimal shaded (Opcs) and unshaded (Opcus) ceramics and IPS Empress shaded (Ems) and unshaded (Emus) ceramics. Twenty-one disc specimens per material were prepared, heat-treated and tested. The piston on three-ball test ASTM F394-78 (1991) was used to test the specimens in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.15 mm/min. Specimens were viewed in a scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction used to determine the phases present. Mean strengths (MPa +/- SD) were: Ems 120.1 +/- 20.5, Emus 135.8 +/- 16.0, Opcs 139.1 +/- 14.3 and Opcus 138.0 +/- 11.5. There was no statistically significant difference between Optimal shaded, Optimal unshaded and Empress unshaded strength values (p > 0.05). Empress shaded strength values were significantly lower than the other materials tested (p < 0.05). Weibull analysis provided m values: Ems 6.1, Emus 10.2, Opcs 12.8 and Opcus 13.9 and 1% and 5% probabilities of failure. Secondary electron imaging revealed a dense dispersal of leucite crystals in the glassy matrix of the Optimal ceramics of an average size 5.5 +/- 9.7 micron 2 for the Optimal shaded ceramic and 6.6 +/- 13.3 micron 2 for the Optimal unshaded ceramic. Leucite crystal agglomerates were evident for the Empress shaded material and a uniform distribution of fine leucite crystals (1.9 +/- 1.8 micron 2) for the Empress unshaded ceramic. Crystal and matrix microcracking were present in most of the material microstructures, together with porosity and tabular alumina platelets in the Optimal ceramics. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of tetragonal leucite and small amounts of cubic leucite. Optimal ceramics and Empress unshaded ceramic provided higher strength and Weibull m values compared with Empress shaded ceramic. Inherent material defects were characterised and cubic leucite was identified.     

不同核饰瓷厚度对CAD/CAM玻璃陶瓷材料透明性的影响

目的:探讨不同核饰瓷厚度的CAD/CAM玻璃陶瓷的对比度(contrast ratio,CR)以及与A2色测色试件的色差ΔE。方法:将IPS e.max CAD瓷块和IPS Empress CAD瓷块加工成厚度分别为0.8、1.0、1.2 mm的方型核心瓷片,然后在核心瓷上烧结厚度分别为0.7、0.5、0.3 mm的相应饰瓷,最后上釉。共制作30片12×12 mm、总厚度为1.5 mm的瓷试件(n=5)。采用CM-3600A分光测色计测量试件的色度值,用来计算试件的对比度(contrast ratio,CR)和与A2色片的色差(ΔE)。结果:IPS e.max CAD组的CR值明显大于IPS Empress CAD组。IPS e.max CAD组的ΔE值小于IPS Empress CAD组。结论:不同核瓷厚度组合的IPS e.max CAD和IPS Empress CAD都能较好的模拟目标颜色;IPS Empress CAD的透明性要高于IPS e.max CAD。     

Effect of etching and airborne particle abrasion on the microstructure of different dental ceramics

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The ceramic composition and microstructure surface of all-ceramic restorations are important components of an effective bonding substrate. Both hydrofluoric acid etching and airborne aluminum oxide particle abrasion produce irregular surfaces necessary for micromechanical bonding. Although surface treatments of feldspathic and leucite porcelains have been studied previously, the high alumina-containing and lithium disilicate ceramics have not been fully investigated. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the surface topography of 6 different ceramics after treatment with either hydrofluoric acid etching or airborne aluminum oxide particle abrasion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five copings each of IPS Empress, IPS Empress 2 (0.8 mm thick), Cergogold (0.7 mm thick), In-Ceram Alumina, In-Ceram Zirconia, and Procera (0.8 mm thick) were fabricated following the manufacturer's instructions. Each coping was longitudinally sectioned into 4 equal parts by a diamond disk. The resulting sections were then randomly divided into 3 groups depending on subsequent surface treatments: Group 1, specimens without additional surface treatments, as received from the laboratory (control); Group 2, specimens treated by use of airborne particle abrasion with 50-microm aluminum oxide; and Group 3, specimens treated with 10% hydrofluoric acid etching (20 seconds for IPS Empress 2; 60 seconds for IPS Empress and Cergogold; and 2 minutes for In-Ceram Alumina, In-Ceram Zirconia, and Procera). RESULTS: Airborne particle abrasion changed the morphologic surface of IPS Empress, IPS Empress 2, and Cergogold ceramics. The surface topography of these ceramics exhibited shallow irregularities not evident in the control group. For Procera, the 50-microm aluminum oxide airborne particle abrasion produced a flattened surface. Airborne particle abrasion of In-Ceram Alumina and In-Ceram Zirconia did not change the morphologic characteristics and the same shallows pits found in the control group remained. For IPS Empress 2, 10% hydrofluoric acid etching produced elongated crystals scattered with shallow irregularities. For IPS Empress and Cergogold, the morphologic characteristic was honeycomb-like on the ceramic surface. The surface treatment of In-Ceram Alumina, In-Ceram Zirconia, and Procera did not change their superficial structure. CONCLUSION: Hydrofluoric acid etching and airborne particle abrasion with 50-microm aluminum oxide increased the irregularities on the surface of IPS Empress, IPS Empress 2, and Cergogold ceramics. Similar treatment of In-Ceram Alumina, In-Ceram Zirconia, and Procera did not change their morphologic microstructure.     

IPS-Empress 2 玻璃陶瓷结构及性能的研究

目的 研究新型IPS-Empress 2牙科高强度陶瓷的显微结构和机械性能。方法采用原子力显微镜、扫描电子显微镜和X射线衍射仪，分析IPS-Empress 2的显微结构和晶相，用三点弯曲实验和压痕法测试其弯曲强度和断裂韧性。结果IPS-Empress 2玻璃陶瓷主要由二硅酸锂晶体和磷酸锂晶体组成，二者形成相互交错的三维网络式结构；这种玻璃陶瓷在热压铸前后晶体相保持不变，其三点弯曲强度和断裂韧性分别为300MPa和3．1MPam^1/2。结论IPS-Empress 2玻璃陶瓷的高强度和韧性与高含量的二硅酸锂晶体、相互锁结的网络结构和裂纹偏转有关。     

Fatigue resistance of ultrathin CAD/CAM ceramic and nanoceramic composite occlusal veneers

ObjectiveThe fracture resistance of different ultrathin occlusal computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) veneers was investigated under cyclic mechanical loading to restore combined enamel-dentin defects.MethodsEighty-four molars were reduced occlusally until extensive dentin exposure occurred with a remaining enamel ring. Twenty-four molars were ground flat for examination of highly standardized specimens, of which 8 were treated with uniformly flat 0.3 mm IPS Empress CAD and 0.3 and 0.5 mm IPS e.max CAD restorations. Sixty-four molars were anatomically prepared until dentin exposure and were restored using occlusal veneers with fissure/cusp thicknesses of 0.3/0.5 mm from 3 different dental CAD/CAM materials: IPS Empress CAD, IPS e.max CAD and Lava Ultimate CAD/CAM. Teeth were etched with 37% phosphoric acid, and occlusal veneers were bonded using an adhesive luting system (Syntac Primer, Adhesive, Heliobond and Variolink II). Specimens were placed under cyclic mechanical loading in a chewing simulator (1 million cycles at 50 N) and were examined for cracks after each cyclic loading sequence. The anatomical 0.3/0.5 mm IPS e.max CAD specimens experienced an additional 1 million cycles at 100 N. Kaplan–Meier survival curves and log-rank tests were used for data analysis.ResultsAll highly standardized and 0.3/0.5 mm IPS e.max CAD specimens tolerated cyclic loading. One anatomical Lava Ultimate CAD/CAM and 10 IPS Empress CAD specimens showed cracks.SignificanceUltrathin occlusal veneers of lithium disilicate ceramic and nanoceramic composite showed remarkably high fracture strength under cyclic mechanical loading. These veneers might be a tooth substance preserving option for restoring combined dentin–enamel defects.     

Two-body wear of dental porcelain and substructure oxide ceramics

The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the two-body wear of different ceramics. Two-body wear tests were performed in a chewing simulator with steatite and enamel antagonists, respectively. Specimens were loaded in a pin-on-block design with a vertical load of 50 N for 1.2 × 10(5) cycles; (f = 1.6 Hz; lateral movement, 1 mm; mouth opening: 2 mm). Human enamel was used as a reference. Three zirconia ceramics, three veneering porcelains, two glass-infiltrated and one lithium disilicate ceramic were investigated. Veneering and lithium disilicate ceramics were glazed before testing. Surface roughness Ra (SP6, Perthen-Feinprüf, G) and wear depth were determined using a 3D scanner (Laserscan 3D, Willytec, G). SEM (Quanta FEG 400, FEI, USA) pictures of the worn specimens and antagonists were made for evaluating wear performance. Veneering porcelain provided wear traces between 71.2 and 124.1 μm (enamel antagonist) and 117.4 and 274.1 μm (steatite). Wear of the steatite antagonists varied between 0.618 and 2.85 mm2. No wear was found for zirconia and glass-infiltrated substructure ceramics. Also, no wear was found for the corresponding antagonists. Wear of specimens and antagonists was strongly material dependent. No visible wear was found on zirconia and glass-infiltrated ceramics. Porcelain and lithium disilicate ceramic showed a comparable or lower wear than the enamel reference. Antagonist wear was found to be lower when specimens were made of substructure oxide ceramics instead of veneering porcelain. From the point of wear testing, zirconia may be used for the fabrication of fixed dental prosthesis without veneering.