Abstract
Conventional bonding technology suitable for silica-based ceramics is not applicable to zirconia, due to its polycrystalline phase composition, chemical stability, and acid corrosion resistance. The development of an effective treatment to improve its surface roughness and mechanical properties remains an unresolved problem. Therefore, to solve this problem, this in vitro study evaluated the changes in surface morphology and flexural strength of translucent monolithic zirconia surfaces treated with femtosecond laser technology. As-sintered translucent zirconia specimens were subjected to airborne particle abrasion and femtosecond laser treatments, while control group specimens received no treatment. After treatment, the roughness and morphology of the treated zirconia surfaces were examined. The flexural strength and X-ray diffraction of the treated specimens were measured and analyzed. Statistical inferential analysis included one-way analysis of variance at a set significance level of 5%. The surface roughness after femtosecond laser treatment was significantly improved when compared with the control group and the group that received the airborne particle abrasion treatment (p < 0.05). In comparison with the airborne particle abrasion group, the flexural strength of the group that received the femtosecond laser treatment was significantly improved (p < 0.05). The femtosecond laser approach using appropriate parameters enhanced the roughness of the zirconia without reducing its flexural strength; therefore, this approach offers potential for the treatment of zirconia surfaces.
Highlights
Zirconia is highly popular in clinical use for dental restorations, due to its exceptional flexural strength, chemical resistance, and good aesthetics [1]
The results showed that the topography of the zirconia ceramic surface was regularly roughened and wettability was increased, while an improvement in microtensile bond strength was promoted without a significant tetragonal– monoclinic phase transformation [13]
Compared with the no treatment group, the surface roughness of translucent zirconia was significantly increased in the femtosecond laser group, while the flexural strength measured via three-point bending of zirconia modified by the femtosecond laser was found not to be significantly different from that of samples in the no treatment group
Summary
Zirconia is highly popular in clinical use for dental restorations, due to its exceptional flexural strength, chemical resistance, and good aesthetics [1]. Unlike other dental ceramic materials, zirconia has a polycrystalline phase composition without a glass phase composition, as well as good chemical stability and acid corrosion resistance. APA with 50 μm Al2O3 under 0.2 MPa pressure at a distance of 10 mm from the zirconia surface has been found to be an effective method for improving bond strength [4]. This approach may lead to sub-surface damage to the zirconia, resulting in microcracks and debris, which may reduce the mechanical properties of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP), affecting its longevity. The reduced retention rate after APA may be related to microcracks in the zirconia, and APA may, have an adverse effect on flexural strength and other long-term mechanical properties of restorations [3]
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