OBJECTIVETo study the bonding characteristic of Titanium and RG experiment porcelain.

METHODS5 specimens with a size of 10 mm x 5 mm x 1.4 mm were cast from pure titanium. Then 1 mm of RG experiment opaque and body porcelain were fused on the surface of the titanium specimens. The interface of titanium and porcelain was analyzed with a scanning electron microscope with energy-despersive spectrometry; 6 metal specimens with the size of 25 mm x 3 mm x 0.5 mm were cast from Ni-Cr alloy and a uniform thickness of 1 mm of VMK 99 porcelain was veneered on the central area of 8 mm x 3 mm 18 metal specimens as the same size were cast from pure titanium. The uniform thickness of 1 mm of VITA TITANKERAMIK porcelain, of Noritake super porcelain Ti-22 and of RG experiment porcelain were veneered on every 6 specimens respectively in the central area of 8 mm x 3 mm. The specimens were subjected to a three-point bending test on a load-test machine with a span of 20 mm, then the failure loads were recorded and statistically analysised. The RG porcelain/titanium crown was fabricated by fusing RG opaque porcelain and body porcelain to cast titanium substrate crown.

RESULTSThe SEM results show no porosity and crackle were found in the interface. The energy-dispersive spectrometry show that there are Si, Ti and O in the 1 micro m layer between porcelain and titanium, which suggesting titanium and experiment porcelain bonding well. The three point test showed the fracture force for the combinations of titanium/VITA TITANKERAMIK porcelain, titanium/Noritake super porcelain Ti-22 and titanium/RG experiment porcelain were (7.233 +/- 2.539) N, (5.533 +/- 1.199) N and (6.316 +/- 1.433) N respectively. There were not statistically significant differences among them (t test, P < 0.01). The fracture force for the Ni-Cr alloy/VMK99 porcelain combination (12.733 +/- 3.297) N was significantly greater than those of the cast titanium/porcelain (t test, P > 0.05). The crown was translucent with no crack.

CONCLUSIONRG porcelain is well compatible with titanium.

Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Metal Ceramic Alloys ; chemistry ; Titanium ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDThe lithium disilicate-based ceramic is a newly developed all-ceramic material, which is lithium disilicate-based and could be used for fabricating almost all kinds of restorations. The extent of light attenuation by ceramic material was material-dependent. Ceramic materials with different crystal composition or crystalline content would exhibit distinct light-absorbing characteristics. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of ceramic thickness and light-curing time on the polymerization of a dual-curing resin luting material with a lithium disilicate-based ceramic.

METHODSA lithium disilicate-based ceramic was used in this study. The light attenuation caused by ceramic with different thickness was determined using a spectral radiometer. The commercial dual-cured resin cement was light-cured directly or through ceramic discs with different thickness (1, 2 and 3 mm, respectively) for different times (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 seconds, respectively). The polymerization efficiency of resin cement was expressed in terms as Vickers hardness (VHN) measured after 24 hours storage. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's HSD tests were used to determine differences.

RESULTSIntensity of polymerizing light transmitted through ceramic discs was reduced from 584 mW/cm(2) to about 216 mW/cm(2)2, 80 mW/cm(2) and 52 mW/cm(2) at thicknesses of 1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm, respectively. Resin cement specimens self-cured alone showed significantly lower hardness values. When resin cement was light-cured through ceramic discs with a thickness of 1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm, no further increasing in hardness values was observed when light-curing time was more than 30 seconds, 40 seconds and 60 seconds, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSWithin the limitation of the present study, ceramic thickness and light-curing time had remarkable influence on the polymerization of dual-cured resin cement. When resin cement is light-cured beneath a lithium disilicate ceramic with different thickness, prolonging light-curing time accordingly may still be necessary to insure complete polymerization.

Ceramics ; chemistry ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Light ; Resin Cements ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of veneer application on failure behavior and reliability of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (LDG) crowns of maxillary first molar, and thus to reveal the failure mechanism of bilayered LDG crowns.

METHODSTwenty-six LDG maxillary first molar crowns were fabricated in a dental laboratory using IPS e. max Press or IPS e. max Press/Ceram. The crowns were randomly assigned into two groups (with or without veneer application) with thirteen in each group. The crowns were cemented on composite resin dies. After storage in water for one week, the sliding-contact fatigue test was performed by sliding the steatite ceramic ball indenter (6 mm in diameter) from central fossa up to the lingual surface of disto-buccal cusp, cyclic loaded 1 200 000 times with a weight of 100 N at 2 Hz with a fatigue chewing simulator. Survived specimens were subjected to single-load-to-fracture testing using a steatite ceramic ball of 6 mm in diameter at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/min in a universal testing machine. Fracture load values were recorded and analyzed with t test. Weibull modulus was calculated to evaluate structure reliability. Fractographic analysis was carried out to determine fracture modes of the failed specimens by a stereomicroscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

RESULTSStatistical analysis results indicated a significant difference of the fracture load values between monolithic group [(2071.23 ± 397.05) N] and bilayered group [(1483.41 ± 327.87) N] (P < 0.001). Monolithic and bilayered groups present similar Weibull modulus (95% confidence interval) as 6.15 (5.15 ∼ 7.15) and 5.54 (4.01 ∼ 7.08) respectively, with no significant difference (the confidence bounds overlapped with each other). Bulk fracture initiating from the middle of oblique ridge of the first maxilla molar was the primary failure mode of monolithic/bilayered LDG crowns. Crack propagation initiated from core-veneer interfacial defects was another major failure mode of bilayered all-ceramic crowns.

CONCLUSIONSVeneer application has some influence on fatigue failure of LDG crowns, but shows no effect on structure reliability. Accumulated damage combined with tensile stress concentration on the surface of veneer layer and defects within core-veneer interface lead to initiating of cracks. The mechanical property of veneering materials should be increased, and procedure of veneer application should be standardized and improved in order to reduce the failure rate of LDG molar crowns.

Crowns ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Dental Restoration Failure ; Materials Testing ; Molar

OBJECTIVETo research the influence of K(2)O composition in the raw material on leucite microcrystallization and to study the effect of leucite content on compressive strength of the dental glass ceramics reinforced by leucite microcrystallization.

METHODSThe raw materials with different K(2)O content were treated by a decided thermal treatment system. The products were analyzed by polaring microscope and X-ray diffractometer, and their compressive strength was also tested.

RESULTSThe microstructure of products from high K(2)O component was remarkably good, at microcrystal size of 0.8 micro m and the compressive strength was 206.6 MPa. A positive correlation was found between leucite volume and the compressive strength when leucite volume was less than 50% (Vol%).

CONCLUSIONSThe component of K(2)O has a great effect on the microstructure and the properties of the leucite-microcrystal-reinforced dental glass ceramics and the content of leucite microcrystals has a notable influence on the compressive strength of the dental glass ceramics.

Compressive Strength ; Crystallization ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Glass ; chemistry ; Materials Testing

Ceramics ; Dental Alloys ; chemistry ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Restoration, Permanent ; Humans ; Metal Ceramic Alloys ; chemistry

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to determine the thermal, mechanical properties and density of the composite infiltrated with GI-II tinted infiltration glass.

METHODSThe bar-shaped aluminum oxide and glass/alumina composite specimens with the size of 20 mm x 5 mm x 5 mm were prepared, with two free-end surfaces perpendicular to the long axis of the specimens and parallel to each other. The thermal expansion curves were obtained on a TMA2940 thermal analyzer with heating rate of 5 degrees C/min and temperature range of 25 degrees C to 1000 degrees C. The bar-shaped specimens with the size of 25 mm x 5 mm x 2 mm were fabricated and employed to test the density using Archmede's method. The flexural strength, elastic modulus were measured by means of 3-point bending test with the same specimens. The fractured specimens were indented with Vicker's diamond pyramid under load of 49 N for 15 seconds to determine the hardness and indentation fracture toughness.

RESULTSThe thermal expansion coefficient of the glass/alumina composite was 7.620 x 10(-6) degrees C-1 (25-500 degrees C), which was higher than that of Vitadur alpha veneering porcelain. The 3-poit flexural strength, elastic modulus, Vicker's hardness, indentation fracture toughness and density were 389.6 MPa, 92 GPa, 9.409 GPa, 3.2425 MNm-3/2 and 3.662 g/cm3 respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe thermal expansion of the GI-II glass/alumina composite is compatible with that of Vitadur alpha veneering porcelain, and the material could meet the strength demands for clinical use.

Aluminum Oxide ; chemistry ; Ceramics ; Dental Materials ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Glass ; chemistry ; Tensile Strength ; Transition Temperature

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of magnetron sputtered ZrN on the bonding strength between a low-fusing porcelain (Ti/Vita titankeramik system) and commercially pure cast titanium.

METHODSSixteen specimens were randomly assigned to test group and control group (n=8). The control group received no surface treated. Magnetron sputtered ZrN film was deposited on the surface of specimens in the test group. Then the sixteen titanium-porcelain specimens were prepared in a rectangular shape and went through three-point bending test on a universal test machine. The bond strength of Ti/porcelain was recorded. The phase composition of the specimens was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The interface at titanium and porcelain and the titanium surface after debonding were observed with a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analyzed using energy depressive spectrum (EDS).

RESULTSNew phase of ZrN was found with XRD in the test group. Statistical analysis showed higher bond strength following ZrN surface treatment in the test group [(45.991+/-0.648) MPa] than that in the control group [(29.483+/-1.007) MPa] (P=0.000). Bonded ceramic could be observed in test group, the amount of bonded ceramic was more than that in the control group. No obvious bonded ceramic in control group was found.

CONCLUSIONSMagnetron sputtered ZrN can improve bond strength of Ti/Vita titankeramik system significantly.

Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Materials Testing ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; chemistry ; Zirconium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of in vitro low-temperature degradation (LTD) treatment on the structural stability of 5 kinds of Y2O3 stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZP) dental ceramics.

METHODSTZ-3YS powder was compacted at 200 MPa using cold isostatic pressure and pre-sintered at 1050 degrees C for 2 h forming presintered blocks. Specimens were sectioned into 15 mm x 15 mm x 1.5 mm slices from blocks of TZ-3YS, Vita In-Ceram YZ, Ivoclar, Cercon Smart, and Kavo Y-TZP presintered blocks, 18 slices for each brand, and then densely sintered. Specimens were divided into 6 groups and subjected to an accelerated aging test carried out in an autoclave in steam at 134 degrees C, 0.2 MPa, for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to identify crystal phases and relative content of monoclinic phase was calculated. Specimens for three-point bending test were fabricated using TZ-3YS ceramics according to the ISO 6872 standard and bending strength was tested before and after aging. The polished and aging specimens of TZ-3YS and Cercon Smart zirconia ceramics were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) to evaluate surface microstructure.

RESULTSTetragonal-to-monoclinic phase transformation was detected for specimens of TZ-3YS, Vita In-Ceram YZ, Ivoclar, and Kavo zirconia ceramics except for Cercon Smart ceramics after aging, and the relative content of monoclinic phase was increasing with the prolonged aging time. TZ-3YS was the most affected material, Kavo took the second, and Vita and Ivoclar were similar. Aging had no significant negative effects on flexural strength of TZ-3YS with average bending strength being over 1100 MPa. The nucleation and growth of monoclinic phase were detected by AFM in surface of Cercon Smart zirconia in which monoclinic phase was not detected by XRD.

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that LTD of dental Y-TZP is time dependent, but the aging test does not reduce the flexural strength of TZ-3YS. The long-term clinical serviceability of dental Y-TZP needs further observation.

Cold Temperature ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Materials Testing ; Time Factors ; Zirconium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVEMultiple layer techniques were commonly employed in fabricating all-ceramic restorations. Bond and compatibility between layers were vitally important for the clinical success of the restorations. The purposes of this study were to investigate the bond of the interface between the GI-II glass/alumina composite and Vitadur alpha veneering porcelain, and to study the thermal compatibility between them.

METHODSPrepared a bar shaped specimen of GI-II glass/alumina composite 25 mm x 5 mm x 1 mm in size, with bottom surface pre-notched. The upper surface was veneered with Vitadur alpha veneering porcelain (0.2 mm opaque dentin and 0.6 mm dentin porcelain), then fractured and the fracture surface were examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron microprobe analyzer (EMPA) with electron beam of 10 micrometer in diameter; ten all-ceramic single crowns for an upper right central incisor were fabricated and the temperatures of thermal shock resistance were tested.

RESULTSSEM observation showed tight bond between the composite and the porcelain; The results of EMPA showed that penetration of Na, Al elements from glass/alumina into veneering porcelain and Si, K, Ca elements from veneering porcelain into glass/alumina occurred after sintering baking; The temperature of thermal shock resistance for anterior crowns in this study was 158 +/- 10.3 degrees C, cracks were mainly distributed in veneering porcelain with thicker layer.

CONCLUSIONSChemical bond exists between the GI-II glass/alumina composite and Vitadur alpha veneering porcelain, and there is good thermal compatibility between them.

Aluminum Oxide ; chemistry ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning

OBJECTIVETo study the strengthening of fluorophlogopite-based dental machinable ceramic through developing a new type of calcium-mica-based ceramic.

METHODSBased on the analysis of the crystal structure of the fluorophlogopite ceramic of Dicor MGC, the structure of a new type of calcium-mica-based ceramic was designed and the corresponding composition of the new material was experimented. And the new glass-ceramic was obtained through the treatment of glass preparation and nucleation. Then crystal content of the glass ceramic was analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and the 3-point bending strength of the new ceramic was recorded.

RESULTSA new type of calcium-mica-based glass ceramic was developed and had the 3-point bending strength of (210.2 +/- 14.7) MPa. Compared with the strength of fluorophlogopite-based dental machinable ceramic, such as Dicor MGC, which was reported in the range of 150 approximately 180 MPa within inclusive studies, the higher strength of the new ceramic was recorded.

CONCLUSIONSThe fluorophlogopite-based dental machinable ceramic could be reinforced through internal strengthening.

Aluminum Silicates ; chemistry ; Dental Materials ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Materials Testing ; Tensile Strength