Strength of a feldspar ceramic according to the thickness and polymerization mode of the resin cement coating

Mechanical, Adhesive and Surface Properties of a Zirconia-Reinforced Lithium Silicate CAD/CAM Ceramic Exposed to Different Etching Protocols

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of etching protocols on bond strength, surface roughness, and mechanical properties of a zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) CAD/CAM-ceramic. In total, 100 bars (ISO 6872), 75 plaques, and 25 cubes were cut from ZLS blocks(Vita Suprinity®). The surfaces were standardized, crystallized and divided into five groups: 1. control (no/treatment-C), 2. 5%-Hydrofluoric-acid (HF)/20 s (HF5%20s), 3.HF5%60s, 4.HF10%20s, and 5.HF10%60s. Flexural strength (FS) (three-point bending test, 1 mm/min), roughness (Pa), and micro-shear bond-strength (µSBS) tests were performed. The data were statistically analyzed with one-way ANOVA, Tukey's test (p ˂ 0.05) and Weibull (FS data). C showed higher Pa (1.176 ± 0.370 µm) than HF10%60s (0.627 ± 0.236 µm) and all other groups. Groups C and 20 s showed the most irregular surface patterns. The FS results were not influenced by etching protocols, while the Weibull modulus was, with the 5%HF groups being the most reliable (m: 5.63/6.70), while C and HF10%60s (m: 2.78/2.73) were the least reliable. All fractures originated from surface defects on the treated side of specimens. The 5%HF groups showed higher µSBS (20 s: 21.35 ± 4.70 MPa; 60 s: 23.50 ± 4.27 MPa) than the 10%HF groups (20 s: 14.51 ± 2.47 MPa; 60 s: 16.54 ± 3.12 MPa) and C (6.46 ± 2.71 MPa). The most prevalent failure pattern was "mixed" for etched groups, and "adhesive" for C. Etching protocols affect the evaluated properties by roughening materials' surface and, in some cases, regularizing surface defects. The best overall outcomes were achieved when applying 5%HF.

Effect of resin cement elastic modulus on the biaxial flexural strength and structural reliability of an ultra-thin lithium disilicate glass-ceramic material

OBJECTIVES

Photo- and dual-polymerized resin-based luting agent was evaluated for elastic moduli effects on ultra-thin lithium disilicate (LD) glass-ceramic strengthening, structural reliability, and stress distribution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred-sixty LD discs (IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar/Vivadent) were produced in ultra-thin thicknesses (half with 0.3 mm and the other half with 0.5 mm). The ultra-thin ceramic disks were coated with two different cement types (Variolink Veneer - V and Panavia F 2.0 - P). Two positive control groups were tested following hydrofluoric (HF) acid etching (LDt3, LDt5) and two negative control groups were tested for untreated ceramic (LD 3, LD 5). Biaxial flexural strength (BFS), characteristic strength (σ0) and Weibull modulus (m) were the response variables (n = 20) at the ceramic/resin cement interface (z = 0). Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to calculate maximum principal stress. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA, and Tukey's test. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the failed specimens using fractography and surface morphology.

RESULTS

The BFS of LD at either thickness was not affected by cement types, as also demonstrated by FEA. Structural reliability significantly improved in the positive control group (LDt5).

CONCLUSION

The cementation of ultra-thin LD with a resin-cement of varying elastic moduli did not influence BFS. LD surface modification by HF acid-etching increased the reliability.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Ultra-thin anterior veneer designs made from lithium disilicate have been widely proposed and the apparent success of LD ultra-thin veneers was not influenced by the cement choice in the current studies albeit the elastic moduli luting agents used were of similar values.

Impact of Silane-containing Universal Adhesive on the Biaxial Flexural Strength of a Resin Cement/Glass-ceramic System

The aim of this study was to determine whether using a silane-containing universal adhesive as a silane primer in glass-ceramic/resin cement systems affects biaxial flexural strength (BFS) and bonded interface integrity after loading. Glass-ceramic (IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar/Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) disc-shaped specimens (6.5±0.1mm in diameter, 0.5±0.1mm thick) were etched with 5% hydrofluoric acid (HF) for 20 seconds and divided into four groups of 30 specimens, to be treated as follows: 1) One bottle silane primer (RCP); 2) Separate application of silane and adhesive (RCP+SB); 3) Silane-containing universal adhesive (SBU); 4) No treatment (C). After silanization, all specimens were resin cement- coated and polymerized for 40 seconds. Each specimen layer was measured, as well as each assembly's thickness, using a digital caliper and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Specimens were stored for 24 hours and submitted to a BFS test (1.27 mm/min). BFS values were calculated using the bilayer disc-specimen solution. Bonded interfaces were analyzed on fractured fragments using SEM. One-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (α=0.05) were applied, as well as the Weibull analysis. Factor "silane treatment" was statistically significant ( p<0.0001). RCP+SB (372.2±29.4 MPa) and RCP (364.2±29.5 MPa) produced significantly higher BFS than did the C (320.7±36.3 MPa) or SBU (338.0±27.1 MPa) groups. No differences were found in the Weibull modulus ( m: RCP: 10.1-17.3; RCP+SB: 10.1-17.0; SBU: 12.3-22.4; C: 7.4-12.9). Bonded interface analysis exhibited ceramic-cement separation (SBU, C) and voids within the resin cement layer (all groups). Neither the ceramic/cement system's BFS nor its bonded interface stability were improved by SBU after loading.

Resin cements formulated with thio-urethanes can strengthen porcelain and increase bond strength to ceramics

OBJECTIVES

The use of thio-urethane oligomers has been shown to significantly improve the mechanical properties of resin cements (RCs). The aim of this study was to use thio-urethane-modified RC to potentially reinforce the porcelain-RC structure and to improve the bond strength to zirconia and lithium disilicate.

METHODS

Six oligomers were synthesized by combining thiols - pentaerythritol tetra-3-mercaptopropionate (PETMP, P) or trimethylol-tris-3-mercaptopropionate (TMP, T) - with di-functional isocyanates - 1,6-Hexanediol-diissocyante (HDDI) (aliphatic, AL) or 1,3-bis(1-isocyanato-1-methylethyl)benzene (BDI) (aromatic, AR) or Dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-Diisocyanate (HMDI) (cyclic, CC). Thio-urethanes (20 wt%) were added to a BisGMA/UDMA/TEGDMA organic matrix. Filler was introduced at 60 wt%. The microshear bond strength (μSBS), Weibull modulus (m), and failure pattern of RCs bonded to zirconia (ZR) and lithium disilicate (LD) ceramics was evaluated. Biaxial flexural test and fractographic analysis of porcelain discs bonded to RCs were also performed. The biaxial flexural strength (σ_bf) and m were calculated in the tensile surfaces of porcelain and RC structures (Z = 0 and Z = -t₂, respectively).

RESULTS

The μSBS was improved with RCs formulated with oligomers P_AL or T_AL bonded to LD and P_AL, P_AR or T_CC bonded to zirconia in comparison to controls. Mixed failures predominated in all groups. σ_bf had superior values at Z = 0 with RCs formulated with oligomers P_AL, P_AR, T_AL, or T_CC in comparison to control; σ_bf increased with all RCs composed by thio-urethanes at Z = -t₂. Fractographic analysis revealed all fracture origins at Z = 0.

CONCLUSION

The use of specific thio-urethane oligomers as components of RCs increased both the biaxial flexural strength of the porcelain-RC structure and the μSBS to LD and ZR.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The current investigation suggests that it is possible to reinforce the porcelain-RC pair and obtain higher bond strength to LD and ZR with RCs formulated with selected types of thio-urethane oligomers.

Overlays or ceramic fragments for tooth restoration: an analysis of fracture resistance

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mode of fracture and resistance of partial ceramic restorations of posterior teeth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty healthy upper premolars were selected and divided into three groups (n = 10): Group 1- control, healthy unrestored teeth, group 2-teeth restored with ceramic fragments; and group 3-teeth restored with ceramic overlays. The restorations were manufactured with feldspathic ceramic and cemented with RelyX ARC resin cement. After being stored in distilled water for 7 days, the teeth were subjected to axial compression mechanical testing with a universal testing machine. Force was applied to the long axis of the tooth at a speed of 0.5 mm/min until fracture. The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (5%). The mode of fracture was scored according to the degree of involvement of the tooth structure and the type of restoration.

RESULTS

A significant difference (p < 0.05) was showed between groups 2 (1155 N) and 3 (846.6 N), but there was no significant difference between group 1 and the other groups (1046 N), More extensive fractures were prevalent in the healthy teeth group (Group 1), which had no occlusal coverage; less severe fractures were found in groups 2 and 3.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that teeth restored with ceramic fragments may offer greater resistance to fractures compared to teeth that have overlay restorations.