Preparation and color analysis of tooth-like yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal.

PURPOSE: To develop six kinds of tooth-like yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal(Y-TZP) ceramic blocks. METHODS: Six kinds(Sl,S2,S3,S4,S5,S6) of tooth-like yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) were made by introdticing internal colorating technology, and the color gauged with shade-eye chromatometry instrument was compared between Vita classical shade selection and the 6 kinds of tooth-like ceramic blocks. RESULTS: The color of six kinds of tooth-like TZP was presented in the CIELab system. The value of L* was from 68.8-80.37,a* was from - 1.0-0.9,and b* was from 12.2-17.93, which was covered by Vita classical shade selecting and Chinese tooth color parameter. CONCLUSIONS: Rare earth and transition element as colorants can endow TZP with tooth-like color with different proportions. It is possible to develop tooth-like Y-TZP by adding minority rare earth oxides (Pr₆O₁₁,CeO₂,Er₂O₃, MnO₂). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]