Chemical degradation of dental CAD/CAM materials

The Effect of Home and In-Office Bleaching on Microhardness and Color of Different CAD/CAM Ceramic Materials

The aim of this study is to assess the effect of different bleaching agents on microhardness and color of CAD/CAM ceramics including IPS e.max CAD (lithium disilicate), VITA ENAMIC (polymer-infiltrated ceramic), and Celtra Duo CAD (zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate). Materials' samples were divided into three groups (n = 10) and each received a different bleaching treatment; 20% carbamide peroxide, 35% carbamide peroxide, and 40% hydrogen peroxide. A fourth group was stored in water acting as a control. Vickers microhardness and spectrophotometric color measurements were taken at baseline and after bleaching. IPS e.max CAD showed a significant reduction (about 14%), while VITA ENAMIC showed a significant increase (about 78%) in microhardness after bleaching (p ˂ 0.001). Celtra Duo CAD did not demonstrate a significant change in microhardness (p ≥ 0.609). The color difference (ΔE_ab) after bleaching was 0.29 (±0.08), 2.84 (±0.64), and 1.99 (±0.37) for IPS e.max CAD, VITA ENAMIC, and Celtra Duo CAD, respectively. It could be concluded that the effect of bleaching on color and microhardness was mainly material-dependent. Bleaching significantly affected the microhardness of IPS e.max CAD and VITA ENAMIC. The color difference was within the clinically imperceptible range for IPS e.max CAD, while VITA ENAMIC and Celtra Duo CAD demonstrated perceptible color change.

Influence of Artificial Aging on Mechanical Properties of Six Resin Composite Blocks for CAD/CAM Application

(1) The interactions in the oral cavity between resin composite blocks for CAD/CAM application and saliva, biofilm, and chemicals and their influence on mechanical properties are still mostly unknown. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of artificial aging on the flexural strength, flexural modulus, hardness, Weibull modulus, and probability of failure of six resin composite CAD/CAM materials. (2) The aging was conducted by storing the specimens in water at 37 °C for 3 months, then a 3-point bending test was applied and measured. The microhardness was measured with a Vickers microhardness tester. Weibull analysis (according to ISO) was also performed. The shape and scale parameters were calculated. (3) After aging, the flexural strength values ranged from 95.51 (SD 9.07) MPa for the aged Shofu Block HC (HC) to 160.28 (SD 10.37) MPa for non-aged Gandio blocks (GR), and the flexural modulus values ranged from 7.75 (SD 0.19) GPa for HC to 16.77 (SD 0.60) GPa for GR. The microhardness (HV01) ranged from 72.71 (SD 1.43) for the Katana Avencia Block (AV) to 140.50 (SD 5.51) for GR. After aging, the Weibull characteristic strength ranged from 99.47 MPa for HC to 169.25 MPA for Brilliant Crios (CR). (4) Water storage led to a decrease in flexural strength and characteristic strength and slightly affected the flexural modulus. Gandio Blocks, Tetric CAD, and Brilliant Crios presented higher flexural strength than others.

Acid Resistance of CAD/CAM Resin Composites

Acid resistance of CAD/CAM resin composites. Erosion-related tooth surface loss is closely related to acid exposure, such as contact with acidic beverages or disease-related reflux. As a result, dental restorations in affected patients are also exposed to acids, which indicates that the performance and longevity of a dental restoration is impacted by the acid resistance of the individually employed restorative materials. However, unlike for ceramic materials, the acid resistance of CAD/CAM resin composites is not commonly evaluated by the manufacturers, and no standardised test methods have yet been established. Against this background, the present in vitro study aimed to examine the long-term resistance of CAD/CAM resin composites (Brilliant Crios, Cerasmart, Grandio blocs, Lava Ultimate, Shofu Block HC) against three acidic media (tonic water, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid) as well as demineralized water and to investigate potential damage mechanisms. Changes in surface roughness (Sa) were detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and changes in surface hardness were measured using Vickers hardness (HV). The damage mechanisms were analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and micro X-ray computer tomography (µXCT). For each material, few changes in either Sa or HV were identified for at least one of the different media; for Cerasmart, the sharpest deterioration in surface properties was observed. SEM–EDS revealed leaching of barium, aluminium, and titanium from fillers in a 2 µm zone on the rough but not on the polished surface of the specimen. Within the limitations of the current study, it can be concluded that polished CAD/CAM resin composites can be recommended for clinical use in patients with erosive conditions.

Effect of erosive media on microhardness and fracture toughness of CAD-CAM dental materials

Background

Erosive acids might create surface flaws and deteriorate the mechanical properties of CAD-CAM materials. This invitro study aimed to investigate the effect of simulated gastric HCl and extrinsic erosive acids on surface microhardness and fracture toughness of CAD-CAM materials.

Methods

400 bar-shaped specimens (17×4×2 mm³) were prepared from 4 different CAD-CAM dental materials (n = 100/group); monolithic zirconia (Ceramill Zolid HT+, Amanngirbach, Austria), lithium disilicate ceramic (IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein), nanohybrid resin composite (Grandio Blocs, VOCO) and polymer-infiltrated glass network (Vita Enamic, VITA Zahnfabrik). Specimens from each material type were further subdivided into 5 groups (n = 20) according to the erosive media applied (simulated gastric HCl, white wine, Coca-Cola®, orange juice, and artificial saliva that served as a control). Specimens were immersed for 24 h in an incubator at 37 ℃, then ultrasonically cleaned in distilled water and air-dried. Half of the specimens were tested for Vickers microhardness (VHN) at parameters of 500 gf for 10 s, while the rest of the specimens underwent 3-point flexure till fracture. Fractured surfaces were examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for fracture toughness (K_IC) calculation using the quantitative fractographic analysis method. Data collected were statistically analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (α = 0.05) after verification of data normality and homogeneity of variances.

Results

Erosive media created surface flaws that lowered the surface microhardness of the material and initiated the fracture pattern under different loads according to material type. The material type was a more predominant factor than erosive media that affected either the microhardness or the fracture toughness of CAD-CAM dental materials. The highest VHN and K_IC values were found among Ceramill Zolid HT+ groups followed by IPS e.max CAD and Grandio Blocs regardless of the erosive media employed. Erosive media significantly reduced the VHN and K_IC in Vita Enamic specimens compared to the rest of the material types.

Conclusion

All CAD-CAM materials used, except Vita Enamic, showed high resistance against the erosive acids indicating higher longevity of the material in patients frequently exposed to either extrinsic or intrinsic acid.

Sustained Antibacterial Effect and Wear Behavior of Quaternary Ammonium Contact-Killing Dental Polymers after One-Year of Hydrolytic Degradation

This study intended to investigate the long-term antibacterial effect, mechanical performance, and surface topography of new anticaries dental composites. While most artificial aging studies of dental resins lasted for 30–90 days, this study prolonged the water-aging to one year to be more clinically relevant. The base resin was loaded with dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM) at 3 or 5 wt.% and nano-sized amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP) at 20 wt.%. Composites were subjected to one-year water storage and wear. Following water aging, samples were evaluated for flexural strength, elastic modulus, and microbiological assays. Biofilm plate counting method, metabolic assay, colorimetric quantification of lactic acid, and Baclight bacterial viability assay were measured after one year. Topography changes (ΔRa, ΔRq, ΔRv, ΔRt) were examined after wear and observed by scanning electron microscopy. Biofilm assays and topography changes data were analyzed via one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s tests. Mechanical properties and normalized data were verified using a t-test. The flexural strength values for the formulations that contained 5% DMAHDM-20% NACP, 3% DMAHDM, and 5% DMAHDM were reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in relation to the baseline but the values were still above the ISO standards. No significant differences were observed between the groups concerning the topography changes, except for the ΔRt, where there was a significant increase in the 5% DMAHDM-20% NACP group. All the groups demonstrated robust biofilm-inhibition, with slightly reduced antibacterial properties following water aging. The aged samples reduced the total microorganisms, total streptococci, and mutans streptococci by 1.5 to 3-log, compared to the experimental control. The new formulations containing DMAHDM and NACP were able to sustain the antibacterial performance after one-year of aging. Mechanical properties and surface topography were slightly affected over time.

Erosion of CAD/CAM restorative materials and human enamel: An in vitro study

This in vitro study used the same frequency and duration of acid contact as a previous in situ/in vivo study to evaluate the effect of erosion on CAD/CAM restorative materials and human enamel and to compare the effects of in vitro and in situ/in vivo acid challenges on CAD/CAM restorative materials and human enamel. The CAD/CAM restorative materials (IPS e.max CAD, Lava Ultimate, and PMMA block) and human enamel were eroded by immersion in 150 ml of cola drink for 14 days (4 × 5 min/day). The surface microhardness and surface roughness of the specimens were measured at baseline (T1), day 7 (T2), and day 14 (T3). The substance losses were measured at T2 and T3. The data were statistically analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni's test (α = 0.05). Erosion significantly decreased the surface microhardness of the CAD/CAM restorative materials and human enamel (all P < 0.001). The overall percentage of surface microhardness loss (%SMH_l) of the PMMA block and enamel due to in vitro erosion was significantly higher than that due to in situ/in vivo erosion (P = 0.02 and P < 0.001, respectively). Consistent with in situ/in vivo erosion, the surface roughness and profile of the tested restorative materials remained unchanged after in vitro erosion. A significant increase in the surface roughness and substance loss was observed for enamel after in vitro erosion (all P < 0.001). The overall substance loss of enamel due to in vitro erosion was significantly higher than that due to in situ/in vivo erosion (P < 0.001). In conclusion, erosion decreased the surface microhardness of the CAD/CAM restorative materials and human enamel. Moreover, erosion negatively influenced the substance loss and surface roughness of human enamel. For the substance loss of enamel and %SMH_l of PMMA block and enamel, the in vitro erosive effects were approximately 1-2 times greater than the in situ/in vivo effects. However, for the surface roughness and profile of the CAD/CAM restorative materials, no significant difference was found between in vitro and in situ/in vivo erosion.

Effect of surface treatment of CAD/CAM resin composites on the shear bond strength of self-adhesive resin cement

This study examined the effects of sandblasting, hydrofluoric acid etching and priming on the shear bond strength of self-adhesive resin cement between seven different CAD/CAM resin composites and a resin composite core material at 24-h after cement mixing. Five surface treatments [control (C), sandblasting (S), priming (P), sandblasting with priming (SP), and 9% HF etching with priming (HFP)] were performed respectively for disc specimens of CAD/CAM blocks. There were no significant differences in bond strength among the C, S, and P, except for one block (p>0.05). SP showed a greater bond strength than S. Weibull moduli were not changed significantly among all treatments for all blocks, whereas the strengths with 5% and 95% failure probability of SP and HFP showed greater values than the others. The bond strengths of HFP were comparable to those of SP. Priming after sandblasting or HF etching could be effective to increase the bond strength of CAD/CAM blocks.