BackgroundSintering process is responsible for the strength of zirconia restoration. This study evaluated the effect of different sintering temperatures and sintered-holding times on flexural strength of translucency monolithic zirconia.Material and MethodsOne hundred and thirty five zirconia bar specimens (width-length-thickness = 10×20×1.5 mm) were prepared from yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline (Y-TZP) ceramic and randomly divided into nine groups to be sintered at different temperatures [decreasing- (SD, 1350°C), regular- (SR, 1450°C), and increasing- (SI, 1550°C) sintering temperature] and different sintered-holding times [shortening- (HS, 60 min), regular- (HR, 120 min), and prolonged- (HP, 180 min) sintered-holding time]. Flexural strength was determined using three-point bending test in a universal testing machine at 1 mm/min crosshead speed. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s multiple comparisons were used to determine for statistically significant difference of flexural strength (α=0.05). Weibull analysis was applied for survival probability, Weibull modulus (m), and characteristics strength (σo) of the flexural strength. The crystal sizes were microscopically examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The phase composition of zirconia was determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD).ResultsThe mean±sd (MPa), m, and σo of flexural strength were 1080.25±217.19, 5.54, and 1167.53 for SDHS, 1243.41±233.17, 5.19, and 1352.30 for SDHR, 1298.92±235.68, 6.24, and 1394.79 for SDHP, 1303.34±171.87, 8.40, and 1377.90 for SRHS, 1331.73±278.84, 5.31, and 1444.50 for SRHR, 1348.13±283.35, 5.32, and 1460.68 for SRHP, 1458.45±289.19, 4.51, and 1604.41 for SIHS 1581.34±190.56, 8.20, and 1675.21 for SIHR and, 1604.10±139.52, 12.57, and 1667.90 for SIHP. The flexural strength was significantly affected by altering sintering temperatures and holding times (p<0.05). Enlarging grain size and increasing t→m phase shifting related with raising temperatures and times.ConclusionsIncreasing sintering temperature and prolonged sintered-holding time lead to enhancing flexural strength of translucency monolithic zirconia, and are suggested for sintering process to achieve durable restoration. Key words:Flexural strength, monolithic zirconia, sintering temperature, sintered-holding time.

BackgroundSintering process is responsible for aesthetic of zirconia restoration. This study evaluated the effect of different sintering temperatures and sintered-holding times on color parameters of monolithic zirconia.Material and MethodsOne hundred and thirty five zirconia bar specimens (width-length-thickness = 10×20×1.5 mm) were prepared from yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline (Y-TZP) ceramic and randomly divided into nine groups to be sintered at different temperatures [decreasing- (SD, 1350°C), regular- (SR, 1450°C), and increasing- (SI, 1550°C) sintering temperature] and different sintered-holding times [shortening- (HS, 60 min), regular- (HR, 120 min), and prolonged- (HP, 180 min) sintered-holding time]. Color appearance (ΔE), translucency parameter (TP), contrast ratio (CR), and opalescence parameter (OP) were determined with spectrophotometer. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s multiple comparisons were used to determine for statistically significant difference of color parameters (α=0.05). Crystal sizes were microscopically examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM), and phase composition of zirconia was determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD).ResultsThe mean±sd for ΔE, TP, CR, OP were 82.28±1.27, 1.4±0.13, 0.982±0.004, 1.25±0.15 for SDHS, 78.38±0.74, 2.16±0.10, 0.967±0.005, 1.90±0.11 for SDHR, 74.43±0.91, 2.24±0.10, 0.964±0.004, 1.94±0.09 for SDHP, 76.31±1.22, 3.03±0.10, 0.945±0.003, 2,50±0.09 for SRHS, 74.51±1.27, 3.19±0.17, 0.942±0.003, 2.65±0.16 for SRHR, 73.94±0.49, 3.42±0.10, 0.937±0.003, 2,83±0.09 for SRHP, 76.30±0.43, 3.16±0.09, 0.937±0.002, 2.48±0.09 for SIHS 76.73±1.15, 3.05±0.20, 0.939±0.005, 2.38±0.17 for SIHR, and 75.32±1.37, 2.95±0.18, 0.942±0.006, 2.33±0.15 for SIHP. The ΔE, TP, CR, and OP were significantly affected by altering sintering temperatures and holding times (p<0.05). Increasing sintering temperature and extending sintering time significantly improved color appearance, translucency, contrast, and opalescence of Y-TZP (p<0.05) as evidenced by enlarging grain size and increasing t→m phase shift.ConclusionsRaising sintering temperature and prolonging sintering time lead to better color appearance, translucency, contrast and opalescence of nano-sized monolithic Y-TZP, and are suggested for sintering process. Key words:Color appearance, contrast, monolithic zirconia, opalescence, sintering process, translucency.

ObjectiveThis study investigates the effects of nano-hydroxyapatite (NHA) gel and Clinpro (CP) on remineralization potential of enamel and cementum at the cavosurface area of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing ceramic restoration.Materials and methodsThirty extracted human mandibular third molars were sectioned at 1 mm above and below the cemento–enamel junction to remove the cemento–enamel junction portions and replaced them with zirconia ceramic disks by bonding them to the crown and root portions with resin cement. The enamel and cementum with an area of 4×4 mm2 surrounding the ceramic disk was demineralized with carbopol. The demineralized surfaces were treated with either NHA or CP, while 1 group was left with no treatment. Vickers microhardness of enamel and cementum were determined before demineralization, after demineralization, and after remineralization. Analysis of variance and Tukey multiple comparisons were used to determine statistically significant differences at 95% level of confidence. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to evaluate for surface alterations.ResultsThe mean ± SD of Vickers microhardness for before demineralization, after demineralization, and after remineralization for enamel and cementum were 377.37±22.99, 161.95±10.54, 161.70±5.92 and 60.37±3.81, 17.65±0.91, 17.04±1.00 for the no treatment group; 378.20±18.76, 160.72±8.38, 200.08±8.29 and 62.58±3.37, 18.38±1.33, 27.99±2.68 for the NHA groups; and 380.53±25.14, 161.94±5.66, 193.16±7.54 and 62.78±4.75, 19.07±1.30, 24.46±2.02 for the CP groups. Analysis of variance indicated significant increase in microhardness of demineralized enamel and cementum upon the application of either NHA or CP (p<0.05). Post hoc multiple comparisons indicated significantly higher remineralization capability of NHA for both enamel and cementum than CP (p<0.05), as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy, indicating NHA particle deposition in the area of remineralization, and crystallinity accumulation, as indicated by X-ray diffraction.ConclusionNHA gel and CP were capable of remineralization of the enamel and cementum. NHA was more capable in the remineralization process than CP. NHA was extremely capable in the remineralization process for enamel and cementum surrounding the margin of the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing ceramic.

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