Fracture toughness of experimental mica-based glass-ceramics and four commercial glass-ceramics restorative dental materials

Limitations, challenges and prospective solutions for bioactive glasses-based nanocomposites for dental applications: A critical review

Several nanomaterials have been recently used to overcome various challenges in the dental domain. Bioactive glasses, a class of bioceramics, with their outstanding properties including but not limited to their strong biocompatibility, antibacterial characteristics, and bioactivity inside the body's internal milieu have made them valuable biomaterials in a variety of dental domains. The utilization of nanomaterials has improved the performance of teeth, and the incorporation of bioactive glasses has the field of dentistry at an unsurpassed level in different categories such as esthetic and restorative dentistry, periodontics and dental implants, orthodontics, and endodontics. The current study discusses the most recent developments of the bioactive glasses' creation and implementation for dental applications, as well as the challenges and opportunities still facing the field. This work provides an overview of the current obstacles and potential future prospects for bioactive glasses-based nanocomposites to improve their dental uses. It also emphasizes the great potential synergistic effects of bioactive glasses used with other nanomaterials for dental applications.

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.

Comparison of translucency and opalescence among different dental monolithic ceramics

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Monolithic ceramic restorations designed by computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing are increasingly being used by clinicians. With the introduction of new materials, their optical characteristics also need to be investigated.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the translucency and opalescence of lithium disilicate, zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate, presintered zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate, polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network material, and multilayer zirconia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 50 rectangular plates (14×12×1 mm) of 5 monolithic ceramics were prepared in this in vitro study (n=10). Each zirconia specimen was divided into 3 groups of incisal, middle, and gingival thirds. Each group was then evaluated separately. The color parameters of specimens were measured on 3 backgrounds, white, black, and #3 Ivoclar Natural Die Color material, by using a spectrophotometer. The translucency and opalescence of the specimens were determined by the relevant equations, and between-group comparisons were made. One-way ANOVA and Tamhane post hoc tests were used to compare groups (α=.05).

RESULTS

The difference among the groups was significant in translucency (F=137.346, df=6, P<.001), contrast ratio (F=134.148, df=6, P<.001), and opalescence parameters (F=128.028, df=6, P<.001). The 3 zirconia groups (10.87 ±0.54 to 11.88 ±0.26) had a significantly lower translucency than the other groups, and the zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate group (18.14 ±0.74) showed the highest translucency. Zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (12.36 ±0.42) had the highest opalescence, and the lowest opalescence was found for polymer-infiltrated ceramic-network (5.43 ±0.28) and the incisal third of zirconia (5.45 ±1.06).

CONCLUSIONS

The zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate and presintered zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate specimens had the highest translucency and opalescence. The studied multilayer zirconia, which had different cubic phase values from incisal to gingival blank, showed similar translucency over the entire range, and differences among different regions were related to chromatic variables.

Zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) mechanical and biological properties: A literature review

OBJECTIVES

This paper aimed to provide a literature review of the mechanical and biological properties of zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass-ceramics (ZLS) in Computer-aided design / Computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems.

DATA/SOURCES

An extensive search of the literature for papers related to ZLS was made on the databases of PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, Dynamed, and Open Grey. The papers were selected by 3 independent calibrated reviewers.

STUDY SELECTION

The search strategy produced 937 records. After the removal of duplicates and the exclusion of papers that did not meet the inclusion criteria, 71 papers were included.

CONCLUSIONS

After reviewing the included records, it was found that two types of ZLS (Vita Suprinity PC; Vita Zahnfabrik and Celtra Duo; Dentsply Sirona) are nowadays available on the market for CAD/CAM systems, similar in their chemical composition, microstructure, and biological-mechanical properties. ZLS is reported to be a biocompatible material, whose fracture resistance can withstand physiological chewing loads. The firing process influences the improvements of strength and fatigue failure load, with a volumetric shrinkage. To date, ZLS can be considered a viable alternative to other glass-ceramics for fixed single restorations.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

. As to biocompatibility and mechanical properties of ZLS, data are still scarce, often controversial and limited to short-term observational periods. These promising ceramics require further in vitro/in vivo studies to accurately define mechanical and biological properties, mainly in the long-term performance of restorations produced with such materials.