In vitro evaluation of low-temperature aging effects and finishing procedures on the flexural strength and structural stability of Y-TZP dental ceramics

Abstract

Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) ceramic material has been reported to possess exceptionally high flexural strength; however, the strength of Y-TZP ceramics can be affected by surface treatments performed by dental laboratory technicians and by intraoral conditions. This study investigated the influence of low-temperature-degradation (LTD) treatment, airborne-particle abrasion, and polishing on the flexural strength and structural stability of a Y-TZP ceramic material. By sectioning zirconia ceramic blocks (Vita In-Ceram YZ blocks) into 25 x 4 x 2-mm bars, 310 specimens were fabricated and divided into 9 groups: Group C, as-sintered (control); group B24h, boiled in water for 24 hours; group B7d, boiled in water for 7 days; group H6h, stored in humidified air at 250 degrees C for 6 hours; group H24h, stored in humidified air at 250 degrees C for 24 hours; group H7d, stored in humidified air at 250 degrees C for 7 days; group P, polished; group A, airborne-particle abraded; and group AB, airborne-particle abraded and boiled for 7 days. The flexural strengths (MPa) of all specimens were determined by using a 3-point bending test. The variability was analyzed by using Weibull statistics. Pairwise differences among the 9 groups were evaluated by using confidence intervals (95%) for scale and shape parameters. From every block used, 8 specimens were obtained and every specimen was marked according to the location of its origin from the original block. Surfaces of the specimens were evaluated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at various magnifications. X-ray diffraction analysis was performed to identify possible tetragonal-to-monoclinic phase transformations. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was used to obtain information on the chemical composition. Aging or "finishing" treatments had no significant negative effects on flexural strengths. Mean flexural strengths ranged from 796.7 to 950.2 MPa. Group A exhibited the highest mean flexural strength (950.2 MPa). Weibull modulus values ranged between 5.6 and 9.3. Tetragonal-to-monoclinic phase transformation was detected for a specimen boiled for 24 hours. More tetragonal-to-monoclinic phase transformation was detected for specimens boiled for 7 days and stored in humidified air at 250 degrees C for 7 days. The SEM examination of fractured surfaces revealed sintering defects, and EDS analysis showed less yttria concentration on Y-TZP specimens that were boiled for 7 days. Within the limitations of this study, the results suggested that the LTD procedures and the polishing treatment used did not reduce the flexural strengths of zirconia bars. Airborne-particle abrasion increased the flexural strength of specimens. Although polishing, airborne-particle abrasion, and various low-temperature degradation (LTD) treatments did not significantly degrade the strength of the Y-TZP ceramic material, LTD resulted in loss of yttria. Over time, gradual dissolution of yttria could decrease the tetragonal-phase stability and long-term clinical serviceability of this dental ceramic material.