Surface Characteristics and Biofilm Development on Selected Dental Ceramic Materials

Abstract

Background Intraoral adjustment and polishing of dental ceramics often affect their surface characteristics, promoting increased roughness and consequent biofilm growth. This study correlated surface roughness to biofilm development with four commercially available ceramic materials. Methods Four ceramic materials (Vita Enamic®, Lava™ Ultimate, Vitablocs Mark II, and Wieland Reflex®) were prepared as per manufacturer instructions. Seventeen specimens of each material were adjusted and polished to simulate clinical intraoral procedures and another seventeen remained unaltered. Specimens were analysed by SEM imaging, confocal microscopy, and crystal violet assay. Results SEM images showed more irregular surface topography in adjusted specimens than their respective controls. Surface roughness (Ra) values were greater in all materials following adjustments. All adjusted materials with the exception of Vitablocs Mark II promoted significantly greater biofilm growth relative to controls. Conclusion Simulated intraoral polishing methods resulted in greater surface roughness and increased biofilm accumulation.

Comparative Study on the Degree of Bacterial Biofilm Formation of Dental Bridges Made from Three Types of Materials

“…Saliva-derived pellicles immediately form on the surfaces of thoroughly cleaned teeth and attract bacteria through chemical or electrostatic interactions or by antigens on the surfaces of bacterial cells. The most common organisms present in oral biofilms are the initial colonizer Streptococcus, early colonizer Veillonella, middle colonizer Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum [1][2][3][4]. The ability of individual bacteria to generate biofilms increases dramatically in the presence of the Veillonella genus.…”

Surface Topography, Gloss and Flexural Strength of Pressable Ceramic After Finishing-Polishing Protocols

“…The wide application of dental ceramics in contemporary restorative dentistry has created numerous concerns for the clinicians regarding the correct protocols for finishing and polishing these restorations when clinical adjustments are needed. As seen, ceramic restorations needs suitable surface treatments procedures to achieve smooth surfaces, avoiding biofilm accumulation, crack propagation (8), decrease in the porcelain strength (10), besides reducing the wear of the opposing natural teeth as well as restorative surfaces (9). The application of a glass ceramic layer by the glazing process is considered the gold standard after performing adjustments in ceramic restorations (6); however, it has some disadvantages, such as, additional time due to the laboratory processing and the impossibility to be made after luting procedures (13).…”

“…This process results in restorations with smooth and biocompatible surface (6), which can improve the flexural strength and preserves surface gloss (7). However, despite the careful procedures taken by the practitioner and dental technician to produce indirect restorations, it is not uncommon to perform clinical adjustments in the glazed ceramic surface using diamond burs or other instruments for correcting occlusal contacts and/or inadequate contours (8). After performing clinical adjustments, surface roughness of ceramic restorations will predictably increase (8).…”

“…However, despite the careful procedures taken by the practitioner and dental technician to produce indirect restorations, it is not uncommon to perform clinical adjustments in the glazed ceramic surface using diamond burs or other instruments for correcting occlusal contacts and/or inadequate contours (8). After performing clinical adjustments, surface roughness of ceramic restorations will predictably increase (8). The rough surfaces can cause biofilm accumulation (8), and may lead to severe wearing of opposite teeth (9).…”

“…After performing clinical adjustments, surface roughness of ceramic restorations will predictably increase (8). The rough surfaces can cause biofilm accumulation (8), and may lead to severe wearing of opposite teeth (9). Furthermore rough or irregular ceramic surfaces may cause stress concentration and initiate cracking propagation, resulting in premature failure of the restoration (10).…”