Comparative evaluation of wear resistance between lithium disilicates and polymer infiltrated ceramics manufactured by computer aided design (CAD) computer aided manufacturing (CAM) against natural tooth enamel

Abstract

Advances in CAD/CAM technology led to development of monolithic all ceramic restorations with superior esthetics like Lithium disilicate. But the major concern of ceramic materials was its wear towards the opposing enamel. Polymer infiltrated ceramics were developed by incorporating resin polymer in ceramics to produce esthetic stability of ceramics and low abrasive nature of composites and very few studies were done on this material. A total of 30 disc specimens were fabricated by CAD/CAM .15 discs of CAD/CAM lithium disilicate (IPS E.max CAD) and 15 discs of Polymer infiltrated ceramics of dimensions 10mmx3mm. They were named as group 1 (CAD/CAM Lithium disilicate) and group 2(Polymer infiltrated ceramics). 30 tooth specimens were mounted on auto polymerising acrylic resin blocks. Tooth specimens were placed on the upper member of the two body wear testing machine (Pin on disc wear and friction test rig, Magnum) and Lithium disilicate and polymer infiltrated ceramic disc specimens were positioned on disc of wear testing apparatus under constant load of 5kg (49N). The specimens were made to rub against one another in a rotating cycle to simulate oral wear cycle. The test was run for total of 10,000 wear cycles at 30rpm on wear machine for each sample. Wear of group 1 and group 2 and enamel wear of group 1 and group 2 was measured before and after wear test by profile projector.Wilcoxon test was done to compare the groups. Results showed that wear was greater in group 1 (Polymer infiltrated ceramics) compared to group 2 (CAD/CAM Lithium disilicate) and enamel wear of group 1 was greater than enamel wear of group 2. Advances in CAD/CAM technology led to development of aesthetic all ceramic restorations with superior mechanical properties such as CAD/CAM Lithium disilicate. But the major concern of ceramic materials is wear towards the opposing enamel. To meet the above requirements polymer infiltrated ceramics are developed by incorporating resin polymer in ceramics to produce esthetic stability of ceramics and low abrasive nature of composites. The restorative materials should not cause wear to opposing enamel and also should possess wear resistance similar to enamel for its success and longevity. This study was performed to evaluate the wear resistance of CAD/CAM lithium disilicate and Polymer infiltrated ceramics against natural teeth enamel.