Abstract
Purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate three novel surface treatments intended to improve osseointegration of zirconia implants: selective infiltration etching treatment (SIE), fusion sputtering (FS), and low pressure particle abrasion (LPPA). The effects of surface treatments on roughness, topography, hardness, and porosity of implants were also assessed. Materials and Methods. 45 zirconia discs (19 mm in diameter × 3 mm in thickness) received 3 different surface treatments: selective infiltration etching, low pressure particle abrasion with 30 µm alumina, and fusion sputtering while nontreated surface served as control. Surface roughness was evaluated quantitatively using profilometery, porosity was evaluated using mercury prosimetry, and Vickers microhardness was used to assess surface hardness. Surface topography was analyzed using scanning and atomic force microscopy (α = 0.05). Results. There were significant differences between all groups regarding surface roughness (F = 1678, P < 0.001), porosity (F = 3278, P < 0.001), and hardness (F = 1106.158, P < 0.001). Scanning and atomic force microscopy revealed a nanoporous surface characteristic of SIE, and FS resulted in the creation of surface microbeads, while LPPA resulted in limited abrasion of the surface. Conclusion. Within the limitations of the study, changes in surface characteristics and topography of zirconia implants have been observed after different surface treatment approaches. Thus possibilities for enhanced osseointegration could be additionally offered.
Highlights
Developments in routine dental practice, including prosthodontic treatments, are often driven by the introduction of new dental materials and processing technologies [1].Zircon has been known as a gem from ancient times
Three novel surface treatments were performed on 45 zirconia discs that were divided into 3 groups, 15 each, according to the surface treatment performed
A special brass mold (19 mm in diameter × 3 mm in thickness) was used for isostatically pressing zirconia powder (3 mol yttriastabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZP), E grade biomedical zirconia, Tosoh Inc., Japan). 60 discs were sintered in special electrical furnace (Cercon heat, DeguDent GmbH, Hanau, Germany) with a sintering program at a maximum temperature of 1350∘C for 4 hours
Summary
Developments in routine dental practice, including prosthodontic treatments, are often driven by the introduction of new dental materials and processing technologies [1]. Zircon has been known as a gem from ancient times. The name of the metal, zirconium, comes from the Arabic Zargon (golden in colour) which in turn comes from the two Persian words Zar (Gold) and Gun (Colour). The metal dioxide (ZrO2), was identified in 1789 by the German chemist Martin Heinrich [2]. The crystalline form of zirconia can be organized in three different crystal structures; at room temperature, zirconia adopts a monoclinic (M) structure and transforms into the tetragonal phase (T) at 1170∘C, followed by a cubic phase (C) at 2370∘C.
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