OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of different edge compensation angles on the fracture strength of multilayer zirconia all-ceramic crowns and traditional uniform zirconia all-ceramic crowns. METHODS: The resin tooth preparation specimen of the mandibular first molar with a knife-edge was fabricated. A 3D digital model of the specimen was obtained by scanning it with a 3D dental model scanner. The 3D digital model was imported into computer aided design (CAD) software, and three 3D digital models of the full crown with the same surface shape are designed with the edge compensation angles of 30°, 45° and 60°, respectively. Then, the designed 3D digital model is imported into computer aided manufacturing (CAM) software. Three kinds of multilayer and homogeneous zirconia all-porcelain crowns with different edge compensation angles were fabricated, 10 each for a total of 60. The fracture load of each crown was measured under the electronic universal testing machine. RESULTS: Fracture load of multilayer and uniform zirconia all-ceramic crowns, (4 322.86±610.07) N and (5 914.12±596.80) N in the 30° group, (5 264.82±883.76) N and (5 220.83±563.38) N in the 45° group and (4 900.42±345.41) N and (5 050.22±560.24) N in the 60° group, respectively. The fracture load of multi-layer zirconia all-ceramic crowns in the 30° group was significantly lower than that of homogeneous zirconia all-ceramic crowns(P < 0.05); there was no statistical significance in 45° group and 60° group(P>0.05). In the multi-layer zirconia all-ceramic crowns: the fracture load of the 30° group was significantly lower than that of the 45° group (P < 0.05); there was no significant difference between the 30° group and the 60° group, the 45° group and the 60° group (P>0.05).In uniform zirconia full crown group: the 30° group was higher than the 45° group, the 30° group was higher than the 60° group (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the 45° group and the 60° group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The fracture loads of three kinds of uniform and multilayer zirconia all ceramic crowns with different edge compensation angles can meet the clinical requirements. A smaller edge compensation angle is recommended when using traditional zirconia all-ceramic crowns, while 45° is recommended when using multi-layer zirconia all-ceramic crowns.
Ceramics ; Computer-Aided Design ; Crowns ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Dental Restoration Failure ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Flexural Strength ; Materials Testing ; Zirconium

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of femtosecond laser treated microgrooved surface on microscopic topography, phase transformation, and three-points flexural strength of zirconia, and to provide reference for surface microstructure optimization of zirconia implant. METHODS: According to different surface treatment methods, 57 computer aided design/computer aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) zirconia bars (20.0 mm×4.0 mm×1.4 mm) were evenly divided into three groups: sintered group, no treatment after sintering, taken as control; sandblasted group, sandblasted with 110 μm aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) after sintering; microgrooved group, femtosecond laser fabricated microgrooves with 50 μm width, 30 μm depth, and 100 μm pitch. Surface microscopic topography was observed with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and 3D laser microscope. Further, surface roughness in each group and microgroove size were measured. Crystal phase was analyzed with X-ray diffraction. Specimens were subjected to three- points flexural strength test, and Weibull distribution was used to analyze their strength characteristics. RESULTS: SEM showed that sintered surface was flat with clear grain structure; sandblasted surface exihibited bumps and holes with sharp margins and irregular shape; microgrooves were regularly aligned without evident defect, and nano-scale particles were observed on the surface inside of the microgrooves. Ra value of microgrooved group [(9.42±0.28)] μm was significantly higher than that of sandblasted group [(1.04±0.03) μm] and sintered group [(0.60±0.04) μm], and there was statistical difference between sandblasted group and sintered group (P < 0.001). The microgroove size was precise with (49.75±1.24) μm width, (30.85±1.02) μm depth, and (100.58±1.94) μm pitch. Crystal phase analysis showed that monoclinic volume fraction of sandblasted group (18.17%) was much higher than that of sintered group (1.55%), while microgrooved group (2.21%) was similar with sintered group. The flexural strength of sandblasted group (986.22±163.25) MPa had no statistical difference with that of sintered group (946.46±134.15) MPa (P=0.847), but the strength in microgrooved group (547.92±30.89) MPa dropped significantly compared with the other two groups (P < 0.001). Weibull modulus of sintered, sandblasted, microgrooved groups were 7.89, 6.98, and 23.46, respectively. CONCLUSION Femtosecond laser was able to form micro/nanostructured microgrooves on zirconia surface, which deleteriously affected the flexural strength of zirconia.
Ceramics ; Dental Materials ; Flexural Strength ; Humans ; Lasers ; Materials Testing ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Surface Properties ; Yttrium ; Zirconium