Polishing and coating of dental ceramic materials with 308 nm XeCl excimer laser radiation

Abstract

Objectives. The polishing and coating of ceramic surfaces is recommended in order to improve the physical properties of dental ceramics. Conventional methods for the surface treatment of dental ceramic materials are not capable of creating a smooth surface without microcracks. The special radiation characteristics of XeCl excimer laser light indicate that it must be possible to treat ceramic surfaces in order to produce a polished finish. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of XeCl excimer laser radiation for the polishing and coating of dental ceramics. Methods. Samples ( n=64) of four different dental ceramic materials were irradiated with 308 nm XeCl excimer laser radiation at varying energy densities per laser pulse of 1.57, 3.14, and 6.28 J cm −2. In detail, the subjects for irradiation were samples of Ivoclar-Empress (leucite-reinforced feldspathic ceramic), In-Ceram Spinell (double crystalline spinell ceramic), In-Ceram Alumina (alumina oxide; continous interpenetrating phase composite ceramic) and Vita-Mark II (feldspathic ceramic). The roughness ( R a) of the laser-treated ceramic surfaces was measured using a profilometer. In addition, SEM and AFM investigations of the changes in surface structure were conducted. The changes in surface roughness due to laser treatment were analyzed for their statistical significance using ANOVA with the Scheffé test at a level of significance of 0.05% ( p<0.05). Depending on the type of ceramic material and the energy density of the radiation, varying reductions of the surface roughness were obtained. In general, minimum values of the roughness were measured on samples irradiated with maximum energy density of radiation. Results. The lowest roughness value was obtained for the specimen of In-Ceram Spinell: 1.30(±0.19) μm. The mean value for minimal roughness of Ivoclar-Empress was 1.92(±0.35) μm, that for In-Ceram Alumina was 2.04(±0.49) μm, and that for Vita-Mark II was 2.72(±0.40) μm. Ultrastructural examination of laser-treated ceramics in part demonstrated both extensive fusion and inhomogeneous surfaces with blistering and the formation of microcracks. Significance. It is concluded that the physical roughness of dental ceramic surfaces can be significantly reduced by 308 nm excimer laser irradiation. Nevertheless, the laser-treated surface was in no case completely fused and the formation of microcracks and blistering was observed. Therefore, after using an XeCl excimer laser for finishing dental ceramic alloys, further polishing of the laser-treated ceramic surfaces will be needed.