Effects of extreme cooling methods on mechanical properties and shear bond strength of bilayered porcelain/3Y-TZP specimens

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of extreme cooling methods on the flexural strength, reliability and shear bond strength of veneer porcelain for zirconia. Methods: Vita VM9 porcelain was sintered on zirconia bar specimens and cooled by one of the following methods: inside a switched-off furnace (slow), at room temperature (normal) or immediately by compressed air (fast). Three-point flexural strength tests (FS) were performed on specimens with porcelain under tension (PT, n = 30) and zirconia under tension (ZT, n = 30). Shear bond strength tests (SBS, n = 15) were performed on cylindrical blocks of porcelain, which were applied on zirconia plates. Data were submitted to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests (p < 0.05). Weibull analysis was performed on the PT and ZT configurations. Results: One-way ANOVA for the PT configuration was significant, and Tukey's test revealed that fast cooling leads to significantly higher values (p < 0.01) than the other cooling methods. One-way ANOVA for the ZT configuration was not significant (p = 0.06). Weibull analysis showed that normal cooling had slightly higher reliability for both the PT and ZT configurations. Statistical tests showed that slow cooling decreased the SBS value (p < 0.01) and showed less adhesive fracture modes than the other cooling methods. Clinical Significance: Slow cooling seems to affect the veneer resistance and adhesion to the zirconia core; however, the reliability of fast cooling was slightly lower than that of the other methods. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

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, Tukey's tests and Weibull modulus (m) were calculated for each group (95% CI). The biaxial flexural strength (MPa) of CoJet treated group (1266.3±158A) was not significantly different than that of Rocatec Plus group (1179±216.4A,B) but was significantly higher than the other groups (Control: 942.3±74.6C; 50μm Al2O3: 915.2±185.7B,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. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Durability of Adhesion between Feldspathic Ceramic and Resin Cements: Effect of Adhesive Resin, Polymerization Mode of Resin Cement, and Aging

Purpose: Adhesive cementation is an important step for restorations made of feldspathic ceramic as it increases the strength of such materials. Incorrect selection of the adhesive resin and the resin cement to adhere to the ceramic surface and their durability against aging can affect the adhesion between these materials and the clinical performance. This study evaluated the effect of adhesive resins with different pHs, resin cements with different polymerization modes, and aging on the bond strength to feldspathic ceramic. Materials and Methods: One surface of feldspathic ceramic blocks (VM7) (N = 90) (6.4 × 6.4 × 4.8 mm3) was conditioned with 10% hydrofluoric acid for 20 seconds, washed/dried, and silanized. Three adhesive resins (Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus [SBMP], pH: 5.6; Single Bond [SB], pH: 3.4; and Prime&Bond NT [NT], pH: 1.7) were applied on the ceramic surfaces (n = 30 per adhesive). For each adhesive group, three resin cements with different polymerization modes were applied (n = 10 per cement): photo-polymerized (Variolink II base), dual polymerized (Variolink II base + catalyst), and chemically polymerized (C&B). The bonded ceramic blocks were stored in water (37°C) for 24 hours and sectioned to produce beam specimens (cross-sectional bonded area: 1 ± 0.1 mm2). The beams of each block were randomly divided into two conditions: Dry, microtensile test immediately after cutting; TC, test was performed after thermocycling (12,000×, 5°C to 55°C) and water storage at 37°C for 150 days. Considering the three factors of the study (adhesive [3 levels], resin cement [3 levels], aging [2 levels]), 18 groups were studied. The microtensile bond strength data were analyzed using 3-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test (α= 0.05). Results: Adhesive resin type (p < 0.001) and the resin cement affected the mean bond strength (p= 0.0003) (3-way ANOVA). The NT adhesive associated with the chemically polymerized resin cement in both dry (8.8 ± 6.8 MPa) and aged conditions (6.9 ± 5.9 MPa) presented statistically lower bond strength results, while the SBMP adhesive resin, regardless of the resin cement type, presented the highest results (15.4 to 18.5 and 14.3 to 18.9 MPa) in both dry and aged conditions, respectively (Tukey's test). Conclusion: Application of a low-pH adhesive resin onto a hydrofluoric acid etched and silanized feldspathic ceramic surface in combination with chemically polymerized resin cement did not deliver favorable results. The use of adhesive resin with high pH could be clinically advised for the photo-, dual-, and chemically polymerized resin cements tested. © 2012 by the American College of Prosthodontists.

Clinical Satisfaction and Quality of Ceramic Fixed Dentures

It is known that several factors can affect the clinical success and durability of fixed partial dentures. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to present a literature review about the longevity, clinical success, and quality, as well as, patients' and dental surgeons' satisfaction of ceramic fixed dentures. High rate of patients' satisfaction has been observed in relation to the esthetic of ceramic crowns. In addition, the literature has shown that dental ceramics can be used in several clinical situations with high success rate and longevity. Despite of failures and complications of ceramic restorations, nowadays, with the improvement of mechanical properties of such materials, ceramic crowns present a favorable prognosis and can be used in several clinical situations with high success rate, clinical quality, and great patients' satisfaction. © 2013 The American Ceramic Society.

Effect finishing and polishing procedures on the surface roughness of IPS Empress 2 ceramic

Objective. To evaluate the surface roughness of IPS Empress 2 ceramic when treated with different finishing/polishing protocols. Materials and methods. Sixteen specimens of IPS Empress 2 ceramic were made from wax patterns obtained using a stainless steel split mold. The specimens were glazed (Stage 0-S0, control) and divided into two groups. The specimens in Group 1 (G1) were finished/polished with a KG Sorensen diamond point (S1), followed by KG Sorensen siliconized points (S2) and final polishing with diamond polish paste (S3). In Group 2 (G2), the specimens were finished/polished using a Shofu diamond point (S1), as well as Shofu siliconized points (S2) and final polishing was performed using Porcelize paste (S3). After glazing (S0) and following each polishing procedure (S1, S2 or S3), the surface roughness was measured using TALYSURF Series 2. The average surface roughness results were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey post-hoc tests (α = 0.01) Results. All of the polishing procedures yielded higher surface roughness values when compared to the control group (S0). S3 yielded lower surface roughness values when compared to S1 and S2. Conclusions. The proposed treatments negatively affected the surface roughness of the glazed IPS Empress 2 ceramic. © 2013 Informa Healthcare.

Photoluminescence of core-shell nanoparticles made from yttrium stabilized zirconia powder grain coated with alumina

A YSZ@Al2O3 nanocomposite was obtained by Al 2O3 coating on the surface of yttrium stabilized zirconia via a polymeric precursor method. The resulting core-shell structures were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electronic microscopy and PL spectra. The TEM micrographs clearly show a homogeneous Al2O3 shell around the ZrO2 core. The observed PL is related to surface-interface defects. Such novel technologies can, in principle, explore materials which are not available in the bulk single crystal form but their figure-of-merit is dramatically dependent on the surface-interface defect states. © 2013 This journal isThe Royal Society of Chemistry.

Influence of Abutment Type and Esthetic Veneering on Preload Maintenance of Abutment Screw of Implant-Supported Crowns

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Structural and dielectric properties of polyvinyl alcohol/barium zirconium titanate polymer-ceramic composite

The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/barium zirconium titanate Ba[Zr0.1Ti0.9]O3 (BZT) polymer-ceramic composites with different volume percentage are obtained from solution mixing and hot-pressing method. Their structural and electrical properties are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinement, cluster modeling, scanning electron microscope and dielectric study. XRD patterns of PVA/BZT polymer-ceramics composite (with 50% volume fractions) indicate no obvious differences than the XRD patterns of pure BZT which shows that the crystal structure is still stable in the composite. The scanning electron micrograph indicates that the BZT ceramic is dispersed homogeneously in the polymer matrix without agglomeration. The dielectric permittivity (ε r) and the dielectric loss (tan δ) of the composites increase with the increase of the volume fraction of BZT ceramic. Theoretical models are employed to rationalize the dielectric behavior of the polymer composites. The dielectric properties of the composites display good stability within a wide range of temperature and frequency. The excellent dielectric properties of these polymer-ceramic composites indicate that the BZT/PVA composites can be a candidate for embedded capacitors. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Biocompatibility of a porous alumina ceramic scaffold coated with hydroxyapatite and bioglass

This study aimed to evaluate the osteointegration and genotoxic potential of a bioactive scaffold, composed of alumina and coated with hydroxyapatite and bioglass, after their implantation in tibias of rats. For this purpose, Wistar rats underwent surgery to induce a tibial bone defect, which was filled with the bioactive scaffolds. Histology analysis (descriptive and morphometry) of the bone tissue and the single-cell gel assay (comet) in multiple organs (blood, liver, and kidney) were used to reach this aim after a period of 30, 60, 90, and 180 days of material implantation. The main findings showed that the incorporation of hydroxyapatite and bioglass in the alumina scaffolds produced a suitable environment for bone ingrowth in the tibial defects and did not demonstrate any genotoxicity in the organs evaluated in all experimental periods. These results clearly indicate that the bioactive scaffolds used in this study present osteogenic potential and still exhibit local and systemic biocompatibility. These findings are promising once they convey important information about the behavior of this novel biomaterial in biological system and highlight its possible clinical application. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mechanical properties of vulcanized natural rubber nanocomposites containing functional ceramic nanoparticles

Rubber nanocomposites containing different concentrations of ferroelectric and paramagnetic nanoparticles were fabricated. Nanostructures of ferroelectric potassium strontium niobate and paramagnetic nickel-zinc ferrite were synthesized using a modified polyol method. The nanoparticle characterization was carried out by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, showing that the materials were produced with nanometer dimensions, specific crystallinity and microstrain. Mechanical tests such as hardness type Shore A, stress-strain and compression resistance were performed. They showed that increasing the concentration of nanoparticles enhance the rigidity of vulcanized films of natural rubber and this change is more pronounce for the nanocomposites formed with ferrite nanoparticles, likely due to the effect of its morphological and surface properties. © 2013 by American Scientific Publishers.

Surface agents' influence on the flexural strength of bilaminated ceramics

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Optical properties of the MoO3-TiO2 particulate system and its use as a ceramic pigment

Mo-doped TiO2 powders were prepared using a dry mixture of TiO2 and MoO3 oxides with several compositions, followed by a calcination step at several temperatures. The resulting oxide system develops yellow and green tones. The XRD patterns showed only traces of MoO 3; however, EDS results, combined with TG/DTA data, confirmed the presence of molybdenum ions, suggesting that the changes in optical properties of the oxide system is due to the incorporation of Mo ions into the TiO 2 matrix, substituting Ti+4 with Mo+6 ions. The band gap decreased with increasing of MoO3 content; on the other hand, the band gap reached a maximum value at about 850°C to 910°C when plotted as a function of the calcination temperature. The glazes produced showed that the oxide system under study is a potential material for use as abinary ceramic pigment. Copyright © 2013 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

The impact of hydrofluoric acid etching followed by unfilled resin on the biaxial strength of a glass-ceramic

Objectives: To evaluate the null hypotheses that hydrofluoric (HF) acid etching time would neither decrease the biaxial flexural strength of a glass-based veneering ceramic nor enhance it after silane and unfilled resin (UR) applications. Methods: Disc-shaped IPS e.max ZirPress specimens were allocated into 12 groups: G1-control (no-etching), G2-30 s, G3-60 s, G4-90 s, G5-120 s, G6-60 s + 60 s. Groups (G7-G12) were treated in the same fashion as G1-G6, but followed by silane and UR applications. Surface morphology and roughness (Ra and Rq) of the ceramics were assessed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and profilometry, respectively. Flexural strength was determined by biaxial testing. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and the Sidak test (α = 0.05). Weibull statistics were estimated and finite element analysis (FEA) was carried out to verify the stress concentration end areas of fracture. Results: The interaction (etching time vs. surface treatment) was significant for Ra (p = 0.008) and Rq (0.0075). Resin-treated groups presented significantly lower Ra and Rq than non-treated groups, except for the 60 s group (p < 0.005). SEM revealed that etching affected the ceramic microstructure and that the UR was able to penetrate into the irregularities. A significant effect of etching time (p = 0.029) on flexural strength was seen. G7-G12 presented higher strength than G1-G6 (p < 0.0001). None of experimental groups failed to show 95% confidence intervals of σ 0 and m overlapped. FEA showed lower stress concentration after resin treatment. Significance: HF acid etching time did not show a damaging effect on the ceramic flexural strength. Moreover, the flexural strength could be enhanced after UR treatment. © 2013 Academy of Dental Materials.

Local order of Pb1-xLaxZr0.40Ti 0.60O3 ferroelectric ceramic materials probed by X-ray absorption and Raman spectroscopies

This paper reports on the structural characterization of Pb 1-xLaxZr0.40Ti0.60O3 (PLZT) ferroelectric ceramic compositions prepared by the conventional solid state reaction method. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and Raman spectroscopy were used to probe the local structure of PLZT samples that exhibits a normal and relaxor ferroelectric behavior. From the Zr K-edge and Pb LIII-edge EXAFS spectra, a considerable dissymmetry of Zr and Pb sites was observed in all samples, including those showing a long-range order cubic symmetry and a relaxor behavior. The Raman spectroscopy results confirmed the existence of a local disorder in all PLZT samples through the observation of Raman active vibrational modes. The variation in the intensity of the E(TO 3) mode in the PLZT relaxor samples indicates that the process of correlation between nanodomains stabilizes at temperatures lower than T m. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Avaliação da resistência á flexão de cerâmicas dentais Y-TZP: efeito de material e espessura

Pós-graduação em Ciências Odontológicas - FOAR