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The aim of this study was to evaluate the topography and the fatigue performance of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic after surface grinding through different laboratory protocols used to simulate the Computer-aided design/Computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) milling. Ceramic discs (IPS e.max CAD, Ø = 13.5 mm × 1.2 mm of thickness) were produced through different methodologies: milling in CAD/CAM system (CAD/CAM group); produced in-lab with a polished surface (POL group); or produced through in-lab methods and randomly distributed into five groups according to different grinding protocols to simulate the CAD/CAM milling [grinding with a CAD/CAM bur coupled to a mandrel (CAD/CAM Bur group); fine diamond bur using oscillatory movements (DBO group); fine diamond bur in x and y axes of the disc (DBXY group); #60-grit silicon carbide sandpaper (SiC group); and #60-grit wood sandpaper (WS group)]. The specimens were fatigue tested (n = 15) according to the step-stress method (initial load: 60 N; step-size: 20 N; 10,000 cycles/step; 20 Hz frequency). A roughness analysis was performed on all specimens, while fractal dimension (FD) and fractography were performed on representative samples. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the POL (293.3 N) group presented better fatigue performance (higher load and number of cycles for failure) (p < 0.05) than the other groups (CAD/CAM = 222.7 N; CAD/CAM Bur = 181.3 N; DBO = 184.0 N; DBXY = 192.0 N; SiC = 182.6 N; WS = 182.6 N). For roughness, only the SiC (Ra = 1.616; Rz = 10.465) and WS (Ra = 1.673; Rz = 10.655) groups produced statistically similar Ra (μm) and Rz (μm) values to the CAD/CAM (Ra = 1.628; Rz = 9.571) group (p > 0.05). The surface created by CAD/CAM milling and POL group exhibited more complexity (FD) higher values than the experimental groups. For the ceramic surface topography images, the CAD/CAM milling visibly produced a uniform surface compared to the other groups; however, the POL group was the smoothest. The DBO, DBXY, SiC, and WS groups resulted in similar characteristics of surface topography. Therefore, although the SiC and WS groups showed similar roughness to the control group (CAD/CAM), no in-lab simulation method was fully capable to mimic the mechanical performance of the CAD/CAM-milled lithium disilicate glass-ceramic., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to investigate the effect of surface roughness (polished vs. CAD/CAM milling simulation) on impact strength of five dental ceramics for manufacturing CAD/CAM monolithic restorations. Specimens of five ceramics (FC- feldspathic glass-ceramic; PICN- polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network; ZLS- zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass-ceramic; LD- lithium disilicate glass-ceramic; YZ- yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal ceramic) to be tested under impact (15×10×2mm3; n= 15) were divided into two groups, according to surface treatment: polishing (pol) and grinding (gri) as CAD/CAM milling simulation. Impact strength was tested using the Dynstat method. Roughness, topographic, fractographic and finite element analyses were performed. The impact strength data were analyzed by Weibull, and Pearson correlation was used to correlate roughness and impact strength data. The CAD/CAM milling simulation led to significantly (p<0.05) greater roughness (Ra and Rz) and statistically reduced the impact strength for PICN (polPICN= 4.59 to griPICN= 1.09; ±76% decrease), for LD (polLD= 17.69 to griLD= 10.09; ±43% decrease) and for YZ (polYZ= 74.99 to griYZ= 20.67; ±72% decrease) ceramics; and also promoted a more irregular topography with scratches and grooves. Fractographic and FEA analyses depicted the origin of failure at the higher stress concentration side during the impact test, where the pendulum impacted. The CAD/CAM milling simulation significantly decreased the impact strength of the evaluated ceramic materials.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relation between impact strength and flexural strength of different composite and ceramic materials used in dental restorations., Materials and Methods: The three-point-bending test was used to determine the flexural strength and flexural modulus, and the Dynstat impact test was used to determine the impact strength of different composite and ceramic dental materials. The relation between the flexural strength and impact strength was mathematically investigated and a three-dimensional finite element analysis model of the impact test set-up was created to verify these results., Results: We found a relation between the impact strength, a dU , the flexural strength, σ, and the flexural modulus, E, which can be represented by the formula: a dU =λ DK (σ 2 ⁄E), where λ DK is a constant dependent on the test set-up., Conclusion: The obtained impact strength of materials is specific to the test set-up and dependent on the geometric configuration of the test set-up and the specimen thickness. The clinical significance of this investigation is that roughness and fatigue have far more influence on the impact strength than the flexure strength., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the effect of surface treatments on optical, colorimetric, and surface characteristics of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic., Materials and Methods: Specimens (n = 5, IPS e.max CAD) were randomly allocated to the following treatments: mirror-polished: SiC papers; as-cut: mimicking CAD-CAM milling; ground: 90-120 μm-grit diamond bur; ground polished: ground, finished (46-30 μm-grit diamond bur), polished (diamond cups, brush and diamond paste); ground glazed: ground, glazed; ground polished glazed: association of methods. CIELAB color coordinates were obtained by a spectrophotometer. CIEDE2000 color differences (ΔE 00 ) and the translucency parameter (TP 00 ) were calculated. Light transmittance was assessed with a colorimeter. Surface characteristics (topography and roughness) were analyzed. Statistical differences for each condition and outcome were detected using one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc test (α = 0.05)., Results: TP 00 data show statistical reduction after grinding (p < 0.05), which was only restored with polishing (solely or with glazing). ΔE 00 shows that grinding results in perceptible variations in color (above 0.81), which were restored after all post-processing protocols (exception to only glaze application in contact with a black background). Light transmittance data corroborated such performance. Polishing and glazing reduced roughness and improved surface topography., Conclusion: Grinding statistically increased roughness, reduced translucency, light transmittance through the ceramic, and resulted on color differences. On contrary, polishing (followed or not by glazing) reduced roughness and enhanced ceramic translucency and light transmittance. Glaze also reduced roughness, but it still presented reduced translucency. The positioning (facing up or down) of the ceramic treated surface influenced the considered outcomes., Clinical Significance: Grinding with diamond burs results in a deleterious impact to the optical, colorimetric and surface characteristics of lithium disilicate ceramic. Thus, polishing (followed or not by glazing) is recommended for optical and topographical enhancements when lithium disilicate monolithic restorations require occlusal adjustments., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of in-lab simulation procedures performed on a lithium disilicate ceramic luted to a dentin-analogue material regarding the fatigue performance and topographic changes. Lithium disilicate ceramic (IPS e.max CAD) discs (Ø = 13.5 mm and 1.5 mm of thickness) were produced in different ways: milled in a CAD/CAM system (CAD/CAM - control group); mirror-polished (POL group); produced in-lab and ground with #60 silicon carbide paper (SiC group); with #60 wood sandpaper (WS group); with a fine diamond bur (DB group); or with a CAD/CAM bur adapted in a handpiece with a custom mandrel (MANDREL group). The ceramic discs were adhesively luted (Multilink N) onto dentin analogue discs (Ø = 12 mm and 2 mm of thickness) and fatigue testing (n = 19 discs) was performed by step-stress methodology (initial load of 200 N; step-size of 50 N; 10,000 cycles per step; 20 Hz). Surface roughness and contact angle analysis were also performed. According to Kaplan-Meier and post-hoc Mantel-Cox (log-rank), distinct fabrication methods affected the fatigue performance of bonded glass-ceramic discs (p< 0.001). The CAD/CAM group presented the lowest fatigue failure loads (1250 N) and number of cycles for failure (185,000), while the POL groups obtained the highest results (1752 N; 284,444 cycles). The in-lab groups had intermediate values (1355 - 1526 N; 206,052 - 238,684 cycles). Polished specimens presented the lowest roughness values (Ra = 0.041 μm), while the SiC (1.604 μm), WS (1.701 μm), and MANDREL (1.867 μm) groups showed statistically similar roughness values to the CAD/CAM group (1.738 μm). Despite differences before etching, the contact angle was similar among the milled and simulated groups after etching, except for the polished group. Even with some topographic similarities, the tested in-lab simulation methods were not able to mimic the milled specimens in terms of fatigue findings, leading to distinct magnitude of overestimations of the results., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This study evaluated the influence of different surface treatments of zirconia used to enhance bonding with veneering porcelain, and thermocycling on the resistance to porcelain cracking and delamination during fatigue test., Methods: Bilayer ceramic discs were made from zirconia blocks (IPS e.max Zircad MO, Ivoclar Vivadent - 0.7 mm thickness) and randomized into 8 groups (n= 15) according to two factors: 'zirconia surface treatment' (Control; Grinding - diamond bur; Air-abrasion - aluminum oxide particles; and Liner - application of a ceramic liner [IPS e.max Zirliner, Ivoclar Vivadent]); and 'thermocycling' (presence - 12,000 thermal cycles; 5-55ºC; or absence). The discs were veneered with porcelain (IPS e.max Ceram, Ivoclar Vivadent - 0.7 mm; totaling 1.4 mm thickness) according to ISO 6872:2015 for biaxial flexure strength testing. Fatigue tests (step-stress approach; 20 to 100 MPa; step of 10 MPa; 10,000 cycles per step; 10 Hz frequency) were run, followed by the data analysis (Kaplan-Meier and Mantel-Cox post-hoc tests). Analysis of roughness, topography, crystallographic phase arranges and fractography were also executed., Results: The surface treatment and thermocycling did not influence the porcelain crack nor delamination resistance. When only comparing the surface treatments for crack resistance outcome, the liner application depicted the worst fatigue performance in comparison to grinding and air-abrasion, while all groups were similar for delamination., Conclusions: Neither the surface treatment of the zirconia nor the thermocycling influences the porcelain crack resistance or the resistance to delamination of the bilayer porcelain-veneered zirconia specimens.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of quantity and positioning of veneered zirconia specimens during firing of porcelain on their fatigue performance and colorimetric differences., Methods: Bilayer discs (Ø=15 mm) were made, following ISO 6872 guidelines, using a Y-TZP core (yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal ceramic; VITA In-Ceram YZ) and a feldspathic veneering material (VITA VM9), being both layers with 0.7 mm thickness. Y-TZP discs were sintered, the veneering material was applied over it, and the bilayer specimens were fired according to two factors (n=20): 'quantity' (1 or 5 samples per firing cycle; G1 and G5 groups respectively) and 'positioning' of the specimens inside the furnace (center or periphery of the refractory tray; G5C and G5P groups, respectively). The CIEL*a*b* parameters were recorded with a spectrophotometer and the color difference (ΔE 00 ) and translucency (TP 00 ) were calculated using CIEDE2000 equations. The step-stress fatigue test was performed with the veneer facing down (region of tensile stress concentration), 10 Hz frequency, initial tension of 20 MPa for 5,000 cycles, followed by steps of 10,000 cycles using a step size of 10 MPa, up to 100 MPa; data from strength and number of cycles for failure were recorded for statistical analysis., Results: Unacceptable color differences (ΔE 00 >1.8) were observed comparing G5C vs. G1 (quantity) and G5C vs. G5P (positioning), meanwhile translucency parameters were not affected. Besides, only the 'quantity' factor influenced the fatigue performance (G1>G5C). None of the tested specimens survived beyond 90N and/or 75000 cycles., Conclusions: The quantity and position of the specimens during firing influence the final color of porcelain-veneered zirconia, and firing one specimen per cycle improved the fatigue performance of the bilayer system.

It aims on evaluate the effect of the test environment on static fatigue behavior of lithium disilicate-based (LD), and yttrium oxide-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramics. Specimens of LD (IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent) and YSZ (IPS e.max ZirCAD MO, 3 mol% Y2O3, Ivoclar Vivadent) were randomly allocated into three groups: tested in air, inert (paraffin oil, Sigma Aldrich) or distilled water. The static fatigue test (n=15) was performed using a piston-on-three ball assembly, adapted from ISO 6872, as follows: starting load 100 N for LD and 300 N for YSZ; loading application time set to 1 hour for each loading step; step size of 50 N for LD and 100 N for YSZ, applied successively until fracture. Data from static fatigue strength (MPa) and time to fracture (hours) were recorded. Fractographic analysis was executed. Survival analysis corroborates absence of influence of environment on static fatigue outcomes (fatigue strength, time to fracture and survival rates) for YSZ. For LD, specimens tested in air presented statistically superior survival rate and static fatigue strength (p= 0.025). In regards of time to fracture, LD tested in air were superior than when tested in distilled water (p=0.019) or inert (p=0.017) environments. No statistical differences for Weibull modulus were observed. Failures started on the tensile stress surface. Thus, the test environment did not affect slow crack growth (SCG) mechanisms during static fatigue test of YSZ ceramics, but it plays a significant role for the static fatigue behavior of lithium disilicate-based glass ceramics, indicating a high susceptibility to SCG.

Purpose: To compare the effect of different surface treatments (pre-treatments and bonding agents) on the bond strength between glass-fiber post and composite resin, and the topographic alterations of the treated post surface., Methods: Thirty-six glass-fiber blocks (12mm×10mm×8mm) were specifically manufactured for this study and randomly assigned into 12 groups considering two factors: 'pre-treatments' (-cleaning with 70% alcohol; air-abrasion with silica-coated aluminum oxide particles; 35% hydrogen peroxide) and type of 'bonding agent' (no bonding agent; application of Monobond Plus; RelyX Ceramic Primer; Single Bond Universal). After that, 6 cylindrical templates (1mm high×1mm Ø) were fixed on each block, filled with composite resin (n=18) and light-cured. Specimens were stored under 37°C for 24h and microshear tests (wire loop Ø=0.2mm) were performed. Topographic, roughness and failure analyses were also performed., Results: Different surface pre-treatments led to different topographic and roughness alterations; a higher surface alteration was noted after silica particles air-abrasion, while a slight surface alteration in the hydrogen peroxide group and a smooth pattern were observed in the cleaning group. The factors 'pre-treatments' (p<0.05), 'bonding agent' (p<0.05) and their interaction (p<0.05) influenced the bond strength. Silica coating, apart from bonding agent application, or Single Bond Universal application without pre-treatment promoted the highest bond values. The main failure type was adhesive at the resin-post interface., Conclusions: In terms of pre-treatments, silica coating promotes the best bonding performance, but pre-treatments can be dispensable when applying Single Bond Universal., (Copyright © 2019 Japan Prosthodontic Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated the effect of zirconia surface treatment (air-abrasion with aluminum oxide or tribochemical silica coating) and aging on the fatigue behavior of thin monolithic Y-TZP (yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal) restorations cemented with 2 types of resin cements, containing or not containing MDP, to a dentin-like substrate. Y-TZP ceramic (Zenostar T, diameter (Ø) 10 mm, 0.7 mm thick) and dentin-like discs (Ø 10 mm, 2.8 mm thick) were assigned into eight groups according to three factors: 'zirconia surface treatment' (aluminum oxide particles air-abrasion 'AO'; or tribochemical silica coating via silica-coated aluminum trioxide particles air-abrasion + silanization 'SC'); 'MDP-containing resin cement' (with: Panavia F2.0, 'MDP'; or without: Multilink Automix, 'nMDP'); and 'aging' (baseline; or aged - 'AG':12,000 thermal cycles + 60 days water storage). Y-TZP intaglio surface was conditioned and dentin-like substrate was etched with hydrofluoric acid prior to bonding. Aging was performed in half of the specimens before the fatigue testing (Staircase, 20 Hz; 250,000 cycles). Fractographic and topographic characteristics were analyzed by stereomicroscope and SEM. Prior to aging, no significant difference was found between the two surface treatments, irrespective to the cement. Samples bonded with resin cement containing MDP had a significant reduction in their fatigue failure load when Y-TZP was air-abraded with aluminum oxide particles and subjected to aging (MDP-AO = 2050.71 A ; MDP-AO/AG = 1756.67 B ). Other studied conditions were not affected by aging. Topographic images revealed a rougher surface for aluminum oxide air-abrasion. Fractography supports all failures as a radial crack starting at the Y-TZP intaglio surface. Bonded thin simplified Y-TZP restorations had a high load-bearing capacity, regardless of the studied factors. The MDP-containing resin cement applied on aluminum oxide air-abraded zirconia surface was not enough to maintain the fatigue performance after aging, while higher stability to aging was achieved by treating with the tribochemical silica coating method. When using MDP-free resin cement, the surface treatment and the aging did not impact the fatigue performance., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the fatigue failure load via staircase approach and stress distribution via FEA of different ceramic configurations arranged in multilayers composed of ceramic materials with different elastic moduli and compare them to monolayer models., Methods: CAD-CAM ceramic blocks were used to shape 0.3mm and 1.5mm thick discs, corresponding to: feldspathic (F), 64GPa; lithium disilicate (L), 95GPa; and Yttrium-partially stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) (Y), 209.3GPa. The 0.3mm discs were arranged in 4 layers cemented with resin cement (Multilink N), and the 1.5mm discs were not treated, in such a way that the final thickness of all specimens was 1.5mm (±0.15mm). The following 6 groups were tested: F (F: monolithic); L (L: monolithic); LLFF (L+L+F+F); FFLL (F+F+L+L); YLFF (Y+L+F+F); YLLF (Y+L+L+F). The loads-to-fracture were obtained using the biaxial flexural strength test until failure and the data were run using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparisons (α=0.05) tests. The biaxial bending test was also simulated through finite element analysis (FEA) to identify the tensile stress generated at each layer of the groups. Mean fatigue failure load (100,000 cycles; 20Hz) was determined using the staircase approach. The fracture analysis was performed by stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscopy., Results: The load to fracture (N) were obtained as follows: L (592.9±73.8) D >FFLL (319.78±43.59) C >YLLF (246.75±24.89) B >F (167.13±9.84) A >YLFF (166.51±15.24) A >LLFF (165.46±22.75) A ; and the fatigue failure load (N): L (310.92±26.73) F >FFLL (190.17±8.32) E >F (106.21±2.81) D >YLLF (96.48±5.73) C >YLFF (89.56±2.38) B >LLFF (77.23±6.33) A . The origin of all of the tested specimens was located at the tensile region of the discs, as encountered in FEA., Significance: The material under tensile stress is determinant for the restoration's strength and the adhesive interface negatively influenced the mechanical behavior of the multilayer structures., (Copyright © 2018 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Statement of Problem: It is unclear whether an extended glaze firing could improve the long-term mechanical performance of densely sintered CAD-CAM ceramics., Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to analyze the effect of an extended glaze firing on the flexural fatigue strength (FFS) of densely sintered milled (hard-machined) leucite-based (LEU) and lithium disilicate-based (DIS) ceramics., Material and Methods: Disks were machined from ceramic blocks and divided into 6 groups (n=20) according to the material, LEU or DIS, and to the applied glaze firing: manufacturer-recommended glaze (G group), extended glaze (EG group), and control/no firing (C group). The surface roughness of the disks was measured before and after firing by using a contact profilometer, and data were compared by paired sample tests. Specimens were submitted to fatigue by using the staircase test design in water (piston-on-3 balls; 500 000 cycles, 20 Hz, and sinusoidal loading). Mean (±SD) FFS values were then calculated and analyzed by using 1-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey test (α=.05)., Results: Surface roughness did not change after the firing (P>.05). The highest FFS value in both ceramics was obtained after EG firing (LEU-EG=80.52 ±6.3 MPa; DIS-EG=147.25 ±10.5 MPa), which was statistically superior to G firing (LEU-G=73 ±6.8 MPa, P=.003; DIS-G=134.34 ±15.6 MPa; P=.023) and C group (LEU-C=61.94 ±6.3 MPa; P<.001; DIS-C=134.13 ±17.3 MPa; P=.023)., Conclusions: EG firing optimized the biaxial flexural fatigue strength of hard-machined leucite and lithium disilicate ceramics compared with conventional glaze firing., (Copyright © 2018 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of the etching with different hydrofluoric acid (HF) concentrations on the cyclic load-to-failure (C Lf ) of machined lithium disilicate crowns cemented to dentin analogue material., Methods: Pairs of dentin analogue prosthetic preparations and lithium disilicate ceramic crowns with simplified and standardized designs were machined (n=18). The preparations were etched with 10% HF (60s), followed by primer application. The intaglio surface of the ceramic crowns was treated as follows: non-etched (control, CTRL); or etched for 20s with different HF concentrations - 3% (HF3), or 5% (HF5), or 10% (HF10). A silane coating was then applied onto the treated ceramic surfaces, and they were adhesively cemented to the preparations. To perform the fatigue tests (staircase approach), a hemispheric stainless-steel piston (Ø=40mm) applied cyclic loads in the center of the crowns under water (initial load: 720N; step-size: 70N; cycles: 500,000; frequency: 20Hz). Additionally, topographic, fractographic, and fractal analyses were carried out. The fatigue data were analyzed using the Dixon and Mood method., Results: Although the topographic and fractal analyses depicted the action of HF etching altering the superficial complexity and topography, the preponderant topography pattern was established by machining on CAD/CAM. All groups showed similar C Lf (in N) (CTRL=805.00±91.23; HF3=781.25±29.87; HF5=755.00±154.49; HF10=833.75±100.74)., Significance: Etching with different HF acid concentrations did not promote a deleterious effect on the cyclic load-to-failure of machined lithium disilicate crowns., (Copyright © 2018 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the effect of intaglio surface adjustment of simplified lithium disilicate ceramic restorations adhesively cemented to a dentin-like material on its fatigue behavior., Methods: Ceramic discs (IPS e.max CAD) were prepared and an in-Lab simulation of machining roughness was performed by grinding with SiC paper (#60). Ceramic discs were divided into 4 groups according to the internal adjustment of the cementation surface: no adjustments (CTRL); adjustment with a medium (M), fine (F), or extra fine (FF) diamond bur. Dentin-like material discs were also produced. Ceramic disc intaglio surfaces were etched (5% hydrofluoric acid; 20s) and received a silane coating. Dentin-like material discs were etched (10% hydrofluoric acid; 1min) and received a primer coating. Pairs of ceramic/dentin-like material were adhesively cemented (Multilink Automix), and fatigue failure load tests were performed using the Staircase approach (250,000 cycles; 20Hz). Roughness, topographic and fractographic analyses were performed. Statistical analyses were carried out through ANOVA tests., Results: All ground groups (M=521.3 N; F=536.9 N; FF=676.2 N) presented lower fatigue failure load values than the control (1241.6 N). M diamond bur created a rougher surface than F (Ra and Rz parameters). However, FF was similar to F and M for Ra, and similar to F for Rz., Significance: Bur adjustments on the intaglio surface of simplified lithium disilicate ceramic restorations greatly decreased the fatigue failure load even using an extra-fine diamond bur. Care should be taken when internal adjustments are needed., (Copyright © 2018 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

It evaluated the effect of aging by Low Temperature Degradation (LTD), executed after post- processing surface treatments (polishing, heat treatment and glazing), on the surface characteristics (micromorphology and roughness) and on the structural stability (phase transformation and mechanical behavior-flexural strength and structural reliability) of a ground yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) ceramic. Discs of Y-TZP (VITA In-Ceram YZ) were manufactured (ISO:6872-2015; 15 mm in diameter and 1.2 ± 0.2 mm in thickness) and randomly assigned into 10 groups according two factors: "aging" in 2 levels (with or without) and "surface treatment" in 5 levels (Ctrl: as-sintered; Gr: grinding with coarse diamond bur; Gr + HT: grinding plus heat treatment; Gr + Pol: grinding plus polishing; Gr + Gl: grinding plus glazing). Roughness (n=30), biaxial flexural test (n=30), phase transformation (n=2), and surface topography (n=2) analyses were performed. Aging led to an intense increase in monoclinic (m) phase content for all the tested conditions, being the as-sintered samples (Ctrl= 65.6%) more susceptible to the t-m phase transformation. Despite of increasing the m-phase content, aging was not detrimental for characteristic strength (except to the grinding condition). There was no significant reduction in the Weibull modulus after surface treatments. Additionally, heat treatment and glazing after grinding led to a decrease in characteristic strength, while polishing presented the highest characteristic strength values. Thus, polishing is mandatory after grinding the Y-TZP ceramic, while performing glazing or heat-treatment alone after grinding lead to the worst mechanical performance.

This study characterized the mechanical properties (static and under fatigue), the crystalline microstructure (monoclinic - m, tetragonal - t and cubic - c phase contents) and the surface topography of three yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) materials with different translucent properties, before and after aging in an autoclave (low temperature degradation). Disc-shaped specimens were produced from second generation (Katana ML/HT - high-translucent) and third generations (Katana STML - super-translucent and UTML - ultra-translucent) YSZ ceramics (Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.), following ISO 6872-2015 guidelines for biaxial flexural strength testing (final dimensions: 15 mm in diameter and 1.2 ± 0.2 mm in thickness), and then subjected to the respective tests and analyses. ML was mainly composed of tetragonal crystals, while STML and UTML presented cubic content. Aging increased the monoclinic content for ML and did not affect STML and UTML. Topographical analysis highlights different grain sizes on the ceramic surface (UTML > STML > ML) and aging had no effect on this outcome. Weibull analysis showed the highest characteristic strength for ML both before and after aging, and statistically similar Weibull moduli for all groups. ML material also obtained the highest survival rates (ML > STML > UTML) for both fatigue strength and number of cycles to failure. All fractures originated from surface defects on the tensile side. Third generation zirconia (Katana STML and UTML) are fully stabilized materials (with tetragonal and cubic crystals), being totally inert to the autoclave aging, and presented lower mechanical properties than the second-generation zirconia (Katana ML - metastable zirconia)., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of ceramic thickness on the fatigue failure load of two zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) glass-ceramics, adhesively cemented to a dentin analogue material., Methods: Disc-shaped specimens were allocated into 8 groups (n=25) considering two study factors: ZLS ceramic type (Vita Suprinity - VS; and Celtra Duo - CD), and ceramic thickness (1.0; 1.5; 2.0; and 2.5mm). A trilayer assembly (ϕ=10mm; thickness=3.5mm) was designed to mimic a bonded monolithic restoration. The ceramic discs were etched, silanized and luted (Variolink N) into a dentin analogue material. Fatigue failure load was determined using the Staircase method (100,000 cycles at 20Hz; initial fatigue load ∼60% of the mean monotonic load-to-failure; step size ∼5% of the initial fatigue load). A stainless-steel piston (ϕ=40mm) applied the load into the center of the specimens submerged in water. Fractographic analysis and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) were also performed., Results: The ceramic thickness influenced the fatigue failure load for both ZLS materials: Suprinity (716N up to 1119N); Celtra (404N up to 1126N). FEA showed that decreasing ceramic thickness led to higher stress concentration on the cementing interface., Significance: Different ZLS glass-ceramic thicknesses influenced the fatigue failure load of the bonded system (i.e. the thicker the glass ceramic is, the higher the fatigue failure load will be). Different microstructures of the ZLS glass-ceramics might affect the fatigue behavior. FEA showed that the thicker the glass ceramic is, the lower the stress concentration at the tensile surface will be., (Copyright © 2018 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to investigate slow crack growth (SCG) behavior of a zirconia ceramic after grinding and simulated aging with low-temperature degradation (LTD). Complementary analysis of hardness, surface topography, crystalline phase transformation, and roughness were also measured. Disc-shaped specimens (15 mm Ø × 1.2 mm thick, n = 42) of a full-contour Y-TZP ceramic (Zirlux FC, Amherst) were manufactured according to ISO:6872-2008, and then divided into: Ctrl - as-sintered condition; Ctrl LTD - as-sintered after aging in autoclave (134°C, 2 bar, 20 h); G - ground with coarse diamond bur (grit size 181 μm); G LTD - ground and aged. The SCG parameters were measured by a dynamic biaxial flexural test, which determines the tensile stress versus stress rate under four different rates: 100, 10, 1 and 0.1 MPa/s. LTD led to m-phase content increase, as well as grinding (m-phase content: Ctrl - 0%; G - 12.3%; G LTD - 59.9%; Ctrl LTD - 81%). Surface topography and roughness analyses showed that grinding created an irregular surface (increased roughness) and aging did not promote any relevant surface change. There was no statistical difference on surface hardness among different conditions. The control group presented the lowest strength values in all tested rates. Regarding SCG, ground conditions were less susceptible to SCG, delaying its occurrence. Aging (LTD) caused an increase in SCG susceptibility for the as-sintered condition (i.e. G < G LTD < Ctrl < Ctrl LTD).

This study aimed to investigate the effect of grinding and multi-stimuli aging on the fatigue strength, surface topography and the phase transformation of Y-TZP ceramic. Discs were manufactured according to ISO-6872:2008 for biaxial flexure testing (diameter: 15 mm; thickness: 1.2 mm) and randomly assigned considering two factors "grinding" and "aging": C- control (as-sintered); CA- control + aging; G- ground; GA- ground + aging. Grinding was carried out with coarse diamond burs under water-cooling. Aging protocols consisted of: autoclave (134°C, 2 bars pressure, 20 hours), followed by storage for 365 days (samples were kept untouched at room temperature), and by mechanical cycling (106 cycles by 20 Hz under a load of 50% from the biaxial flexure monotonic tests). Flexural fatigue strengths (20,000 cycles; 6 Hz) were determined under sinusoidal cyclic loading using staircase approach. Additionally, surface topography analysis by FE-SEM and phase transformation analysis by X-ray Diffractometry were performed. Dixon and Mood methodology was used to analyze the fatigue strength data. Grinding promotes alterations of topographical pattern, while aging apparently did not alter it. Grinding triggered t-m phase transformation without impacting the fatigue strength of the Y-TZP ceramic; and aging promoted an intense t-m transformation that resulted in a toughening mechanism leading to higher fatigue strength for as-sintered condition, and a tendency of increase for ground condition (C < CA; G = GA). It concludes that grinding and aging procedures did not affect deleteriously the fatigue strength of the evaluated Y-TZP ceramic, although, it promotes surface topography alterations, except to aging, and t-m phase transformation.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of etching time and hydrofluoric acid (HF) concentration on the fatigue failure load and surface characteristics of zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass (ZLS) ceramic cemented to a dentin-like, fiber reinforced epoxy resin. Ceramic (Suprinity, VITA) (1.0mm thick) and epoxy resin (2.5mm thick) discs (10mm diameter) were produced. The bonding surface of the ceramic samples was nonetched (control group), or etched for 30, 60 or 90s by 5% or 10% HF. The epoxy resin discs were etched by 10% HF for 30s followed by the application of an adhesive material (Single Bond Universal, 3M ESPE). Pairs of ceramic/epoxy resin discs were cemented with a dual cure resin cement. The fatigue failure load was determined by the staircase method (500,000 cycles at 20Hz; initial load = 925N; step size = 45N). In 10% HF the etching time was shown to influence the fatigue failure load, which increased as the etching time increased (30s < 60s < 90s), and in 5% HF the fatigue failure load was not shown to be affected by the etching time; the lowest fatigue failure loads were produced in the control group without ceramic etching followed by 10% HF acid etching for 30s. Topography analysis showed variations based on the etching protocols. All fractures (radial cracks) were shown to originate from defects at the ceramic surface on the cementing interface. For fatigue loading improvements of ZLS ceramic, 10% HF acid etching for 90s and silanization of the ceramic surface is recommended., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to characterize and compare the effect of different aging regimens on surface characteristic (topography and roughness), structural stability (phase transformation) and mechanical performance (Weibull analysis) of a Y-TZP ceramic. Discs (15 × 1.2 mm; VITA In-Ceram YZ) were prepared according to ISO 6872-2015 for biaxial flexural strength testing and randomly assigned into five groups (n = 30): as-sintered, no aging treatment (CTRL); 20 h in autoclave at 134°C, 2 bar pressure (AUT); intermittent mechanical loading at 20 Hz/106 load pulses (MechLoad); AUT followed by MechLoad (AUT+MechLoad); and storage in distilled water at 37°C, for 1 year (STO). The following analyses were performed: roughness (n = 30), surface topography (n = 2), phase transformation (n = 2) and biaxial flexure strength (n = 30). Phase transformation (increase of m-phase content) was shown to be a spontaneous, unavoidable and time-dependent process, occurring even under ambient conditions (dry storage after 1 year = 6.0% increase), and is considerably accelerated in the presence of moisture (STO = 17.6%; AUT= 63.1%; and AUT+MechLoad = 59.9%). For roughness parameters, only Ra was affected by aging, and the highest values were observed for AUT+MechLoad (0.25 ± 0.07 µm). For Weibull analysis, structural reliability (Weibull moduli) and characteristic strength were not impaired after aging, and some aging conditions led to increased values (highest weibull moduli in AUT, and highest characteristic strength in STO). Phase transformation proves to be a time-dependent spontaneous mechanism that is accelerated in the presence of different stimuli. However, none of the aging regimens had a negative effect on the characteristic strength and structural reliability of Y-TZP ceramic.

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effect of different surface post-processing treatments (polishing, heat treatment, glazing, polishing + heat treatment and polishing + glazing) on the superficial characteristics (micromorphology and roughness), phase transformation and fatigue strength of a Y-TZP ceramic ground with diamond bur. Discs of Y-TZP ceramic were manufactured (ISO:6872-2015; final dimensions of 15mm in diameter and 1.2 ± 0.2mm in thickness) and randomly allocated according to the surface condition: Ctrl - as-sintered; Gr - ground with coarse diamond bur; Gr+HT - ground and subjected to the heat treatment; Gr+Pol - ground and polished; Gr+Pol+HT - ground, polished and heat treated; Gr+Gl - ground and glazed; Gr+Pol+Gl - ground, polished and glazed. The following analyses were performed: roughness (n = 25), surface topography (n = 2), phase transformation (n = 2) and fatigue strength by staircase method (n = 20). All treatments influenced to some extent the surface characteristics of Y-TZP, being that polishing reduced the surface roughness, the m-phase content and improved the fatigue strength; glazing led to the lowest roughness values (Ra and Rz), although it showed the worst fatigue strength; heat treatment showed limited effect on surface roughness, led to complete reversion of the existing m-phase content to t-phase, without enhancing fatigue performance. Thus, a polishing protocol after clinic adjustment (grinding) of monolithic restorations based on polycrystalline zirconia material is mandatory for surface characteristics and fatigue performance improvements., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study evaluated the effects of different pre-sintering fabrication processing techniques of Y-TZP ceramic (CAD/CAM Vs. in-lab), considering surface characteristics and mechanical performance outcomes. Pre-sintered discs of Y-TZP ceramic (IPS e.max ZirCAD, Ivoclar Vivadent) were produced using different pre-sintering fabrication processing techniques: Machined- milling with a CAD/CAM system; Polished- fabrication using a cutting device followed by polishing (600 and 1200 SiC papers); Xfine- fabrication using a cutting machine followed by grinding with extra-fine diamond bur (grit size 30 μm); Fine- fabrication using a cutting machine followed by grinding with fine diamond bur (grit size 46 μm); SiC- fabrication using a cutting machine followed by grinding with 220 SiC paper. Afterwards, the discs were sintered and submitted to roughness (n=35), surface topography (n=2), phase transformation (n=2), biaxial flexural strength (n=20), and biaxial flexural fatigue strength (fatigue limit) (n=15) analyses. No monoclinic-phase content was observed in all processing techniques. It can be observed that obtaining a surface with similar characteristics to CAD/CAM milling is essential for the observation of similar mechanical performance. On this sense, grinding with fine diamond bur before sintering (Fine group) was the best mimic protocol in comparison to the CAD/CAM milling., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to determine the effects of grinding and low temperature aging on the biaxial flexural strength, structural reliability (Weibull analysis), surface topography, roughness analysis, and phase transformation (t→m) of an yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline ceramic. Ceramic discs (15.0×1.2±0.2mm, VITA In-Ceram YZ) were prepared and randomly assigned into six groups according to 2 factors (n=30): 'grinding' (Ctrl - without treatment, as-sintered; Xfine - grinding with extra fine diamond bur - 30µm; Coarse - grinding by coarse diamond bur - 151µm), and 'aging' (without or with aging: Ctrl LTD ; Xfine LTD ; Coarse LTD ). Grinding was performed in an oscillatory motion with a contra-angle handpiece under constant water-cooling. Low temperature degradation (LTD) was simulated in an autoclave at 134°C, under 2bar pressure, for 20h. The roughness (R a and R z parameters) significantly increased after grinding in accordance with bur grit-size (Coarse>Xfine>Ctrl), and aging promoted distinct effects (Ctrl=Ctrl LTD ; Xfine>Xfine LTD ; Coarse=Coarse LTD ). Grinding increased the m-phase, and aging led to an increase in the m-phase in all groups. However, different susceptibilities to LTD were observed. Weibull analysis showed a significant increase in the characteristic strength after grinding (Coarse=Xfine>Ctrl), while aging did not lead to any deleterious impact. Neither grinding nor aging resulted in any deleterious impact on material reliability (no statistical decrease in the Weibull moduli). Thus, neither grinding nor aging led to a deleterious effect on the mechanical properties of the evaluated Y-TZP ceramic although a high m-phase content and roughness were observed., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)