OBJECTIVETo study the influence of manufacture technique on the translucency and color of dental porcelain.

METHODSSpecimens were made of VITA VMK 95 dentin porcelain and enamel porcelain and divided into 3 groups: Sintering times group (1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 times), sintering temperature group (910, 920, 930, 940 and 950 degrees C), sintering vacuum group (95, 65, 35 and 0 kPa). Transmittance, Y, dominant wavelength and saturation were measured by PR-650 spectra scan spectrocolorimeter.

RESULTSTransmittance of dentin porcelain increased after 6 times repeated sintering. Transmittance of enamel porcelain increased first after the second sintering, and then became decreasing when sintering more than 2 times. Transmittance of enamel porcelain deceased when sintering temperature was lower than standard. Decrease of sintering vacuum caused the transmittance of dentin and enamel porcelain decreased. The changing of value was coordinated with transmittance. Dominant wavelength and saturation had negative correlation with sintering times and temperature, and positive correlation with vacuum.

CONCLUSIONSintering times, temperature and vacuum all had prominent effects on the translucency and color of dental porcelain. Comparing with dentin porcelain, enamel porcelain was more sensitive with the modification of manufacture technique.