Influence of different surface treatments on surface zirconia frameworks

Casucci, Alessio; Osorio, Estrella; Osorio, Raquel; Monticelli, Francesca; Toledano, Manuel; Mazzitelli, Claudia; Ferrari, Marco

doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2009.06.013

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Volume 37, Issue 11 , Pages 891-897, November 2009

Influence of different surface treatments on surface zirconia frameworks

Alessio Casucci
- Department of Fixed Prosthodontics and Dental Materials, University of Siena, Policlinico “Le Scotte”, Viale Bracci, 53100, Siena, Italy
Estrella Osorio
- Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Raquel Osorio
- Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Francesca Monticelli
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 22006 Huesca, Spain
Manuel Toledano
- Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Claudia Mazzitelli
- Department of Fixed Prosthodontics and Dental Materials, University of Siena, Policlinico “Le Scotte”, Viale Bracci, 53100, Siena, Italy
Marco Ferrari
- Department of Fixed Prosthodontics and Dental Materials, University of Siena, Policlinico “Le Scotte”, Viale Bracci, 53100, Siena, Italy
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +39 0577233131; fax: +39 0577233117.

Received 23 January 2009; received in revised form 17 May 2009; accepted 21 June 2009. published online 29 June 2009.

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of different chemo-mechanical surface treatments of zirconia ceramic in the attempt to improve its bonding potential.

Methods

Sintered zirconium oxide ceramic discs (Lava™ Ø10mm×1mm height) were treated with (n=4): (1) airborne particle abrasion with 125μm Al₂O₃ particles; (2) 9.5% HF acid etching; (3) selective infiltration etching (SIE); (4) experimental hot etching solution applied for 10, 30 and 60min; (5) no treatment.

Ceramic discs surfaces were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) recording average surface roughness measurements of the substrate. Data were statistically analyzed by Kruskall–Wallis analysis of variance and Mann–Whitney tests (α=0.05). The same discs were used for bi-dimensional zirconia ceramic surface characterization with scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Results

Ceramic surface treatments significantly influenced surface topography and roughness (p<0.001). Bi-dimensional changes in ceramic surface morphology were assessed on a nanometric scale. The experimental hot etching solution improved surface roughness, independently from the application time.

Conclusion

Zirconia conditioning with the experimental hot etching solution may enhance ceramic roughness and improve the surface area available for adhesion allowing the formation of micromechanical retention. The influence of this surface treatment with regard to bond strength of zirconia needs to be addressed.

Keywords: Zirconium oxide ceramic, Surface treatment, Selective infiltration etching, AFM, SEM, Surface roughness, Zirconia surface morphology