Evaluation of Spatial and Functional Roughness Parameters on Air-abraded Zirconia as a Function of Particle Type and Deposition Pressure.

Purpose: This study evaluated the spatial and functional roughness parameters on air-abraded zirconia as a function of particle type and deposition pressure. Materials and Methods: Polished zirconia blocks (Cercon, Degussa/Dentsply) (N=30) with dimensions of 5 x 4 x 4³ mm were air abraded according to 2 factors: a) particle type -- 30-µm silica-coated alumina (CoJet) or alumina particles (45 µm); b) deposition pressure (1.5, 2.5 and 4.5 bar). Roughness parameters (S_dr, V_i, S_ci and S_vi) were measured in an optical profilometer (Wyko NT 1100) at the center of the air-abraded area (301.3 x 229.2 µm). Two measurements were made for each parameter from each surface. The means of each group were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's adjustment test and Student's t-test (alpha = 0.05). Results: Both the particle type (p < 0.05) and deposition pressure (p < 0.05) significantly affected the roughness parameters. Interaction terms were significant except for S_ci and S_vi. With the increase in pressure from 1.5 to 4.5 bar, S_dr (CoJet 1.5: 15.7 ± 0.2; CoJet 4.5: 26.6 ± 0.2; alumina 1.5: 14.7 ± 0.2; alumina 4.5: 24.4 ± 0.2) and Vi (CoJet 1.5: 0.66 ± 0.01; CoJet 4.5: 1.37 ± 0.07; alumina 1.5: 0.62 ± 0.02; alumina 4.5: 1.19 ± 0.02) parameters showed a significant increase with both alumina and CoJet particles. Mean S_ci values (CoJet 1.5: 1.62 ± 0.01, CoJet 4.5: 1.49 ± 0.02; alumina 1.5: 1.6 ± 0.03; alumina 4.5: 1.42 ± 0.04) and SV_i (CoJet 1.5: 0.98 ± 0.01, CoJet 4.5: 0.112 ± 0.01; alumina 1.5: 0.98 ± 0.01, alumina 4.5: 0.12 ± 0.01) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with the increase in pressure from 1.5 to 4.5 bar. The pressure increase from 2.5 to 4.5 bar did not cause any significant difference (p > 0.05) in these parameters for either particle type. Conclusion: Considering roughness parameters for micromechanical retention and parameters for adsorption mechanisms of adhesion, zirconia surfaces presented better morphological features when air abraded with silica-coated alumina than alumina particles at pressures higher than 1.5 bar. Particle deposition at 2.5 bar may be preferable to 4.5 bar pressure for avoiding possible deposition-related damage on zirconia, as there were no significant differences for the functional parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]