Relative translucency of six all-ceramic systems. Part I: core materials

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: All-ceramic restorations have been advocated for superior esthetics. Various materials have been used to improve ceramic core strength, but it is unclear whether they affect the opacity of all-ceramic systems. PURPOSE: This study compared the translucency of 6 all-ceramic system core materials at clinically appropriate thicknesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Disc specimens 13 mm in diameter and 0.49 +/- 0.01 mm in thickness were fabricated from the following materials (n = 5 per group): IPS Empress dentin, IPS Empress 2 dentin, In-Ceram Alumina core, In-Ceram Spinell core, In-Ceram Zirconia core, and Procera AllCeram core. Empress and Empress 2 dentin specimens also were fabricated and tested at a thickness of 0.77 +/- 0.02 mm (the manufacturer's recommended core thickness is 0.8 mm). A high-noble metal-ceramic alloy (Porc. 52 SF) served as the control, and Vitadur Alpha opaque dentin was used as a standard. Sample reflectance (ratio of the intensity of reflected light to that of the incident light) was measured with an integrating sphere attached to a spectrophotometer across the visible spectrum (380 to 700 nm); 0-degree illumination and diffuse viewing geometry were used. Contrast ratios were calculated from the luminous reflectance (Y) of the specimens with a black (Yb) and a white (Yw) backing to give Yb/Yw with CIE illuminant D65 and a 2-degree observer function (0.0 = transparent, 1.0 = opaque). One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's multiple-comparison test were used to analyze the data (P<.05). RESULTS: Contrast ratios in order of most translucent to most opaque were as follows: Vitadur Alpha 0.60 +/- 0.03, Empress (0.5 mm) 0.64 +/- 0.01, In-Ceram Spinell 0.67 +/- 0.02, Empress 2 (0.5 mm) 0.68 +/- 0.02, Empress (0.8 mm) 0.72 +/- 0.01, Procera 0.72 +/- 0.01, Empress 2 (0.8 mm) 0.74 +/- 0.01, In-Ceram Alumina 0.87 +/- 0.01, In-Ceram Zirconia 1.00 +/- 0.01, and 52 SF alloy 1.00 +/- 0.00. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, there was a range of ceramic core translucency at clinically relevant core thicknesses. In order of decreasing translucency, the ranges were Vitadur Alpha dentin (standard) > In-Ceram Spinell > Empress, Procera, Empress 2 > In-Ceram Alumina > In-Ceram Zirconia, 52 SF alloy.     

Structural reliability of alumina-, feldspar-, leucite-, mica- and zirconia-based ceramics

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that industrially manufactured ceramic materials, such as Cerec Mark II and Zirconia-TZP, have a smaller range of fracture strength variation and therefore greater structural reliability than laboratory-processed dental ceramic materials. METHODS: Thirty bar specimens per material were prepared and tested. The four-point bend test was used to determine the flexure strength of all ceramic materials. The fracture stress values were analyzed by Weibull analysis to determine the Weibull modulus values (m) and the 1 and 5% probabilities of failure. RESULTS: The mean strength and standard deviation values for these ceramics are as follows: (MPa+/-SD) were: Cerec Mark II, 86.3+/-4.3; Dicor, 70.3+/-12.2; In-Ceram Alumina, 429. 3+/-87.2; IPS Empress, 83.9+/-11.3; Vitadur Alpha Core, 131.0+/-9.5; Vitadur Alpha Dentin, 60.7+/-6.8; Vita VMK 68, 82.7+/-10.0; and Zirconia-TZP, 913.0+/-50.2. There was no statistically significant difference among the flexure strength of Cerec Mark II, Dicor, IPS Empress, Vitadur Alpha Dentin, and Vita VMK 68 ceramics (p>0.05). The highest Weibull moduli were associated with Cerec Mark II and Zirconia-TZP ceramics (23.6 and 18.4). Dicor glass-ceramic and In-Ceram Alumina had the lowest m values (5.5 and 5.7), whereas intermediate values were observed for IPS-Empress, Vita VMK 68, Vitadur Alpha Dentin and Vitadur Alpha Core ceramics (8.6, 8.9, 10.0 and 13.0, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Except for In-Ceram Alumina, Vitadur Alpha and Zirconia-TZP core ceramics, most of the investigated ceramic materials fabricated under the condition of a dental laboratory were not stronger or more structurally reliable than Vita VMK 68 veneering porcelain. Only Cerec Mark II and Zirconia-TZP specimens, which were prepared from an industrially optimized ceramic material, exhibited m values greater than 18. Hence, we conclude that industrially prepared ceramics are more structurally reliable materials for dental applications although CAD-CAM procedures may induce surface and subsurface flaws that may adversely affect this property.     

Flexural strength and fracture toughness of dental core ceramics

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Many different strengthened all-ceramic core materials are available. In vitro study of their mechanical properties, such as flexural strength and fracture toughness, is necessary before they are used clinically. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the mechanical properties of 6 commonly used all-ceramic core materials using biaxial flexural strength and indentation fracture toughness tests. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Specimens of 6 ceramic core materials (Finesse, Cergo, IPS Empress, In-Ceram Alumina, In-Ceram Zirconia, and Cercon Zirconia) were fabricated (n=25) with a diameter of 15 mm and width of 1.2 +/- 0.2 mm. For each group, the specimens were tested to compare their biaxial flexural strength (piston on 3 balls) (n=15), Weibull modulus, and indentation fracture toughness (n=10) (IF method). The data were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA test (a=.05). The Tamhane multiple comparison test was used for post hoc analysis. RESULTS: Mean (SD) of biaxial flexural strength values (MPa) and Weibull modulus (m) results were: Finesse (F): 88.04 (31.61), m=3.17; Cergo (C): 94.97 (13.62), m=7.94; IPS Empress (E): 101.18 (13.49), m=10.13; In-Ceram Alumina (ICA): 341.80 (61.13), m=6.96; In-Ceram Zirconia (ICZ): 541.80 (61.10), m=10.17; and Cercon Zirconia (CZ): 1140.89 (121.33), m=13.26. The indentation fracture toughness results showed that there were significant differences between the tested ceramics. The highest fracture toughness values (MPa x m(0.5)) were obtained with the zirconia-based ceramic core materials. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences were found in strength and toughness values of the materials evaluated. Cercon Zirconia core material showed high values of biaxial flexural strength and indentation fracture toughness when compared to the other ceramics studied.     

Mechanical properties of In-Ceram Alumina and In-Ceram Zirconia

PURPOSE: This study compared the mechanical properties of In-Ceram Zirconia and In-Ceram Alumina. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-four disks and six bars were prepared with the slip-casting technique. The disks were used to assess biaxial flexural strength (piston on three ball), Weibull modulus, hardness, and fracture toughness with two methods: indentation fracture and indentation strength. The bars were used to measure elastic moduli (Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio). X-ray diffraction analysis of the specimens was carried out upon every step of the specimen preparation and of the fractured surfaces. RESULTS: Mean biaxial flexure strengths of In-Ceram Alumina and In-Ceram Zirconia were 600 MPa (SD 60) and 620 MPa (SD 61), respectively. Mean fracture toughness measured according to indentation strength was 3.2 MPa.m1/2 (SD 0.34) for in-Ceram Alumina and 4.0 MPa.m1/2 (SD 0.43) for In-Ceram Zirconia. Mean fracture toughnesses of In-Ceram Alumina and In-Ceram Zirconia measured according to indentation fracture were 2.7 MPa.m1/2 (SD 0.34) and 3.0 MPa.m1/2 (SD 0.48), respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that little phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic occurred when the specimens were fractured, supporting the existence of a modest difference of fracture toughness between the two ceramics. CONCLUSION: No statistically significant difference was found in strength. In-Ceram Zirconia was tougher (P < .01) than In-Ceram Alumina when tested according to indentation strength. However, no significant difference was found in the fracture toughness when tested with the indentation fracture technique.     

Relative fracture toughness of differents dental ceramics

Although ceramics present high compressive strength, they are brittle materials due to their low tensile strength so they have lower capacity to absorb shocks. This study evaluated the fracture toughness of different ceramic systems, which refers to the ability of a friable material to absorb defformation energy. Three ceramic systems were investigated. Ten cylindrical samples (5,0mm x 3,0mm), were obtained from each ceramic material as follows: G1- 10 samples of Vitadur Alpha (Vita-Zahnfabrik); G2- 10 samples of IPS Empress2 (Ivoclar-Vivadent); G3- 10 samples of In-Ceram Alumina (Vita-Zahnfabrik). Fracture toughness values were collected upon indentation tests that were performed under a heavy load. A microhardness tester (Digital Microhardness Tester FM) utilized a 500gf load cell during 10seconds to perform four impressions on each sample. Statistically significant results were observed (ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests). In-Ceram Alumina presented the highest median toughness values (2,96N/m3/2), followed by Vitadur Alpha (2,08N/m3/2) and IPS Empress2 (1,05N/m3/2). It may be concluded that different ceramic systems present distinct fracture toughness values, thus In-Ceram is capable of absorbing superior stress when compared to Vitadur Alpha and IPS Empress2.     

四种全瓷修复材料的透光度比较

目的采用全瓷试样,对四种全瓷材料进行透光度测试,为全瓷修复的临床应用提供参考依据。方法选择四种全瓷材料：IPS Empress 2、VITA In-Ceram AIumina、VITA In-Ceram Zirconia及CerconZircinia。每种材料各做出厚为（0.5±0.05）mm,直径为14mm之试样8片（n=8）,使用色度计进行试样之透光度测试。结果透光度由高至低依序为Em2 0.5mm（0.78）、InA 0.5mm（0.94）、InZ 0.5mm（1.0）、Cer 0.5mm（1.0）。结论 IPS Empress 2为透光性最佳,适用于高度美观需求之前牙。VITA In-Ceram Alumina透光度偏低,而VITA In-Ceram Zirconia、Cercon均不透光,此二种烤瓷材料临床上宜应用于美观需求不高之后牙区。     

Relative translucency of six all-ceramic systems. Part II: core and veneer materials

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM All-ceramic core materials with various strengthening compositions have a range of translucencies. It is unknown whether translucency differs when all-ceramic materials are fabricated similarly to the clinical restoration with a veneered core material. PURPOSE: This study compared the translucency of 6 all-ceramic materials veneered and glazed at clinically appropriate thicknesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Core specimens (n = 5 per group) of Empress dentin, Empress 2 dentin, In-Ceram Alumina, In-Ceram Spinell, In-Ceram Zirconia, and Procera AllCeram were fabricated as described in Part I of this study and veneered with their corresponding dentin porcelain to a final thickness of 1.47 +/- 0.01 mm. These specimens were compared with veneered Vitadur Alpha opaque dentin (as a standard), a clear glass disc (positive control), and a high-noble metal-ceramic alloy (Porc. 52 SF) veneered with Vitadur Omega dentin (negative control). Specimen reflectance was measured with an integrating sphere attached to a spectrophotometer across the visible spectrum (380 to 700 nm); 0-degree illumination and diffuse viewing geometry were used. Measurements were repeated after a glazing cycle. Contrast ratios were calculated from the luminous reflectance (Y) of the specimens with a black (Yb) and a white backing (Yw) to give Yb/Yw with CIE illuminant D65 and a 2-degree observer function (0.0 = transparent, 1.0 = opaque). One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's multiple-comparison test were used to analyze the data (P<.05). RESULTS: Significant differences in contrast ratios were found among the ceramic systems tested when they were veneered (P<.0001) and after the glazing cycle (P<.0001). Significant changes in contrast ratios (P<.0001) also were identified when the veneered specimens were glazed. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, a range of translucency was identified in the veneered all-ceramic systems tested. Such variability may affect their ability to match natural teeth. The glazing cycle resulted in decreased opacity for all test materials except the completely opaque In-Ceram Zirconia and metal-ceramic specimens.     

Chemical solubility and flexural strength of zirconia-based ceramics

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to investigate the chemical solubility and flexural strengths of 3 zirconia-based dental ceramics: In-Ceram Zirconia (IZ), In-Ceram 2000 YZ CUBES (YZ Zirconia) (Vita Zahnfabrik), and Cercon (Dentsply). A pressable lithium disilicate-reinforced glass ceramic (IPS Empress 2, Ivoclar Vivadent) was used as a control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten block specimens (12 x 6 x 4 mm) of each ceramic material were prepared for chemical solubility testing. Each specimen was refluxed in 4% acetic acid solution for 16 hours. The percentage loss of mass and the loss of mass per unit of surface area for each specimen were calculated. Ten bar-shaped (21 x 5 x 2 mm) and 10 disk-shaped (16 mm diameter, 1.2 mm thickness) specimens of each ceramic material were prepared and tested for uniaxial flexural strength (UFS) and biaxial flexural strength (BFS). X-ray diffraction analyses were conducted to determine the relative amount of the monoclinic phase of the as-sintered and fractured surfaces of the zirconia ceramics. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the ceramics in chemical solubility by percentage mass or mass/surface area. For UFS, YZ Zirconia (899 +/- 109 MPa) > Cercon (458 +/- 95 MPa) IZ (409 +/- 60 MPa) > Empress 2 (252 +/- 36 MPa). For BFS, YZ Zirconia (1,107 +/- 116 MPa) > Cercon (927 +/- 146 MPa) > IZ (523 +/- 51 MPa) > Empress 2 (359 +/- 43 MPa). The fractured YZ Zirconia surface contained approximately 5 times as much monoclinic phase compared to that of its intact surface. The fractured IZ and Cercon surfaces contained approximately twice as much monoclinic phase compared to those of intact surfaces. CONCLUSION: The ceramics tested all satisfied the chemical solubility allowance required of core ceramic material (type I, Class 1 or type II, Class 1) according to the International Organization for Standardization 6872:1995(E) specifications on dental ceramic. The zirconia-based ceramics possessed significantly higher flexural strengths than the control lithium disilicate ceramic. Their clinical application appears sufficiently promising for long-term clinical studies to be undertaken.     

Influence of relative layer height and testing method on the failure mode and origin in a bilayered dental ceramic composite.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of testing method (uniaxial and biaxial) and relative layer heights on the failure origin and failure mode of bilayered ceramic composite beams and disks composed of In-Ceram and Vitadur Alpha porcelain. METHODS: Beams and disks were fabricated, with relative layer heights of 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1, respectively, for In-Ceram and Vitadur Alpha porcelain. Ninety specimens each (thirty 1:2, thirty 1:1, and thirty 2:1) were tested in 3-point, 4-point-1/4-point, and biaxial ring-on-ring testing apparatuses. Fractography was used to categorize failure origins as either surface or interfacial, and failure modes as delamination or nondelamination. RESULTS: Surface and interfacial failure origins were observed in 3-point and biaxial disk test specimens, but not 4-point-1/4-point specimens where only surface failures occurred. None of the "clinically similar" specimens (1:2) failed at the interface. All testing methods resulted in delamination of Vitadur Alpha from the In-Ceram, while only 3-point and biaxial disk testing methods resulted in crack propagation through the composite interface without delamination. SIGNIFICANCE: Varying relative layer heights or varying testing method in laminate composite tensile specimens can affect failure mode and failure origin.     

Determining the slow crack growth parameter and Weibull two-parameter estimates of bilaminate disks by constant displacement-rate flexural testing.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the influence of displacement-rate and relative layer heights (RLH) on the slow crack growth exponent and Weibull two-parameter estimates of bilayered ceramic composite disks composed of In-Ceram Alumina and Vitadur Alpha porcelain. METHODS: Equibiaxial disks were fabricated with RLH of 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1, for In-Ceram Alumina and Vitadur Alpha porcelain, respectively. Ninety specimens each (30 1:2, 30 1:1, and 30 2:1) were tested in an equibiaxial ring-on-ring testing apparatus at displacement-rates of 0.127, 1.27 and 12.7 mm min(-1). RESULTS: Weibull parameters were statistically significantly affected by changes in RLH at a constant displacement-rate and the slow crack growth parameters were significantly affected by RLH. Many specimens exhibited nonbrittle failure modes. Nonbrittle failures usually exhibited a fall, followed by a rise in load prior to catastrophic failure, and most occurred in specimens with thicker cores at low displacement-rates. SIGNIFICANCE: Geometries of layered materials may affect their reliability and longevity.     

Microtensile bond strength of a resin cement to glass infiltrated zirconia-reinforced ceramic: the effect of surface conditioning.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of three surface conditioning methods on the microtensile bond strength of resin cement to a glass-infiltrated zirconia-reinforced alumina-based core ceramic. METHODS: Thirty blocks (5 x 5 x 4 mm) of In-Ceram Zirconia ceramics (In-Ceram Zirconia-INC-ZR, VITA) were fabricated according to the manufacturer's instructions and duplicated in resin composite. The specimens were polished and assigned to one of the following three treatment conditions (n=10): (1) Airborne particle abrasion with 110 microm Al(2)O(3) particles + silanization, (2) Silica coating with 110 microm SiO(x) particles (Rocatec Pre and Plus, 3M ESPE) + silanization, (3) Silica coating with 30 microm SiO(x) particles (CoJet, 3M ESPE) + silanization. The ceramic-composite blocks were cemented with the resin cement (Panavia F) and stored at 37 degrees C in distilled water for 7 days prior to bond tests. The blocks were cut under coolant water to produce bar specimens with a bonding area of approximately 0.6mm(2). The bond strength tests were performed in a universal testing machine (cross-head speed: 1mm/min). The mean bond strengths of the specimens of each block were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha相似文献   

Microleakage in full-crown all-ceramic restorations: influence of internal surface treatment, silane application, alumina system, and substrate

This study investigated the influence of internal surface treatment and margin location on the microleakage of 2 alumina-reinforced ceramic crown systems: In-Ceram (VITA Zahnfabrik) and Procera (Nobel Biocare). Full crowns were produced for each of the 2 systems (n = 24) in human premolars, with margins located in enamel and dentin, and luted with Single Bond and RelyX ARC (3M ESPE). Four internal ceramic treatments were tested: (1) aluminum oxide blasting (AO), (2) AO plus silane, (3) hydrofluoric acid etching (HF), and (4) HF plus silane. After thermal cycling, leakage was measured quantitatively. Statistical analysis (P < .05) showed higher leakage in dentin margins compared to enamel. In enamel, Procera showed greater leakage compared to In-Ceram. Generally, lower microleakage was observed for the AO plus silane treatment.     

表面处理对全瓷冠修复体微渗漏的影响

目的：评估不同的表面处理方法以及两种不同的瓷系统对微渗漏的影响.方法：取48颗正畸拔出的前磨牙,分2组（每组24个）,一组用于制作procera瓷全冠,另一组制作In-Ceram瓷全冠.每一组又分为4小组（每小组各6例）,①.50μm氧化铝喷砂;②.氧化铝喷砂加硅烷;.③.氢氟酸酸蚀;④.氢氟酸酸蚀加硅烷.比较各组的微渗漏情况,数据进行t检验和三元方差分析组问差异.结果：在牙釉质内,4种方法中氧化铝喷砂并硅烷处理对两种瓷而言都显著减少了微渗漏（p＜0.01）,但procera瓷表现了更多的微渗漏（p＜0.05）;在牙本质中,4种表面处理方法中氧化铝喷砂并硅烷处理可减少微渗漏,两种瓷表现相似.结论：牙本质表现了较高的微渗漏;在不同的表面处理方法中,氧化铝喷砂并硅烷处理微渗漏表现最少.     

Effect of mechanical cycling on the flexural strength of densely sintered ceramics.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of mechanical cycling on the biaxial flexural strength of two densely sintered ceramic materials. METHODS: Disc shaped zirconia (In-Ceram Zirconia) and high alumina (Procera AllCeram) ceramic specimens (diameter: 15 mm and thickness: 1.2 mm) were fabricated according to the manufacturers' instructions. The specimens from each ceramic material (N=40, n=10/per group) were tested for flexural strength either with or without being subjected to mechanical cycling (20,000 cycles under 50 N load, immersion in distilled water at 37 degrees C) in a universal testing machine (1 mm/min). Data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: High alumina ceramic specimens revealed significantly higher flexural strength values without and with mechanical cycling (647+/-48 and 630+/-43 MPa, respectively) than those of zirconia ceramic (497+/-35 and 458+/-53 MPa, respectively) (p<0.05). Mechanical cycling for 20,000 times under 50 N decreased the flexural strength values for both high alumina and zirconia ceramic but it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: High alumina ceramic revealed significantly higher mean flexural strength values than that of zirconia ceramic tested in this study either with or without mechanical cycling conditions.     

Contrast ratios and masking ability of three types of ceramic veneers

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Although ceramic veneers have been proven to be clinically successful in longevity studies, there is little information on the contrast ratios and masking ability of the available ceramic systems because dental laboratory technology and expensive experimental equipment are required for the investigation. Moreover, the complexity in understanding how to evaluate translucent ceramic materials may also explain why information in this area is limited. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the contrast ratios and masking abilities of 3 types of all-ceramic veneers by measuring their luminance and color difference over white and black backgrounds. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Disk-shaped specimens (8-mm diameter x 0.7-mm thickness) of Shade A2 (Vita Lumin) of 3 types of all-ceramic systems: Procera (n=8), Empress 2 (n=8), and Vitadur Alpha (n=10) were fabricated. The luminance (as Y) and color (as CIE L*a*b*) of the specimens were measured with a colorimeter. The contrast ratio (CR=Yb/Yw), defined as the ratio of illuminance (Y) of the test material when it is placed on the black background (Yb) to the illuminance of the same material when it is placed over a white background (Yw), was determined. The masking ability of a specimen was evaluated by calculating the color difference (DeltaE) of the veneers over white and black backgrounds. Both CR and DeltaE* data were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test (alpha=.05). RESULTS: The mean contrast ratios (SD) of Procera, Empress 2, and Vitadur Alpha specimens were 0.50 (0.02), 0.46 (0.05), and 0.39 (0.02), respectively. CR values were significantly different among the 3 materials (P<.001). Procera veneers had a significantly higher CR compared to Empress 2 (P=.01) or Vitadur Alpha (P=.01), whereas the CR of Empress 2 was significantly higher than that of Vitadur Alpha (P=.046). Color difference (DeltaE*) (SD) of Procera, Empress 2, and Vitadur Alpha specimens over black and white backgrounds were 24.46 (1.03), 25.80 (1.03), and 31.08 (1.19), respectively. DeltaE* values were statistically different among the 3 materials (P<.001). Vitadur Alpha specimens had significantly higher DeltaE* when compared with Procera (P<.001) or Empress 2 (P<.001), whereas DeltaE* values between Procera and Empress 2 were not significantly different (P=.331). CONCLUSIONS: Vitadur Alpha had significantly lower contrast ratio and poorer masking ability compared to Procera or Empress 2. The clinical application of Vitadur Alpha as a veneer material over discolored teeth is cautioned. Although the contrast ratio of Procera was significantly higher than that of Empress 2, the masking abilities of these materials were not significantly different. The clinical application of these 2 ceramics as a veneer material may still be limited when applied over intense tooth discoloration because neither can fully mask the color of a black background.     

Mechanical properties of commercial high strength ceramic core materials.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to evaluate and compare the flexural strength, dynamic elastic moduli and true hardness (H(o)) values of commercial Vita In-Ceram alumina core and Vita In-Ceram matrix glass with the standard aluminous porcelain (Hi-Ceram and Vitadur), Vitadur N and Dicor glass and glass-ceramic. METHODS: The flexural strength was evaluated (n=5) using 3-point loading and a servo hydraulic Instron testing machine at a cross head speed of 0.5 mm/min. The density of the specimens (n=3) was measured by means of the water displacement technique. Dynamic Young's shear and bulk moduli and Poisson's ratio (n=3) were measured using a non-destructive ultrasonic technique using 10 MHz lithium niobate crystals. The true hardness (n=3) was measured using a Knoop indenter and the fracture toughness (n=3) was determined using a Vickers indenter and a Tukon hardness tester. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using ANOVA and a Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) rank order multiple comparative test. RESULTS: The SNK rank order test analysis of the mean flexural strength was able to separate five commercial core materials into three significant groups at p=0.05. Vita In-Ceram alumina and IPS Empress 2 exhibited significantly higher flexural strength than aluminous porcelains and IPS Empress at p=0.05. The dynamic elastic moduli and true hardness of Vita In-Ceram alumina core were significantly higher than the rest of the commercial ceramic core materials at p=0.05. SIGNIFICANCE: The ultrasonic test method is a valuable mechanical characterization tool and was able to statistically discriminate between the chemical and structural differences within dental ceramic materials. Significant correlation was obtained between the dynamic Young's modulus and true hardness, p=0.05.     

Flexural Strength of Glass-Infiltrated Zirconia/Alumina-Based Ceramics and Feldspathic Veneering Porcelains

Purpose: To compare the flexural strength of two glass-infiltrated high-strength ceramics and two veneering glass-ceramics.
Materials and Methods: Four ceramic materials were tested: two glass-infiltrated high-strength ceramics used as framework in metal-free restorations [In-Ceram Zirconia IZ (Gr1) and In-Ceram Alumina IA (Gr2)], and two glass-ceramics used as veneering material in metal-free restorations [Vita VM7 (Gr3) and Vitadur-α (Gr4)]. Bar specimens (25 × 5 × 2 mm³) made from core ceramics, alumina, and zirconia/alumina composites were prepared and applied to a silicone mold, which rested on a base from a gypsum die material. The IZ and IA specimens were partially sintered in an In-Ceram furnace according to the firing cycle of each material, and then were infiltrated with a low-viscosity glass to yield bar specimens of high density and strength. The Vita VM7 and Vitadur-α specimens were made from veneering materials, by vibration of slurry porcelain powder and condensation into a two-part brass Teflon matrix (25 × 5 × 2 mm³). Excess water was removed with absorbent paper. The veneering ceramic specimens were then removed from the matrix and were fired as recommended by the manufacturer. Another ceramic application and sintering were performed to compensate the contraction of the feldspar ceramic. The bar specimens were then tested in a three-point bending test.
Results: The core materials (Gr1: 436.1 ± 54.8; Gr2: 419.4 ± 83.8) presented significantly higher flexural strength (MPa) than the veneer ceramics (Gr3: 63.5 ± 9.9; Gr4: 57.8 ± 12.7).
Conclusion: In-Ceram Alumina and Zirconia were similar statistically and more resistant than VM7 and Vitadur-α.     

Effect of repeated firings on microtensile bond strength of In-Ceram Alumina with two different veneering ceramics

Microtensile bond strengths of In-Ceram Alumina cores veneered with two ceramics after different numbers of firing cycles were evaluated. After In-Ceram Alumina cores were fabricated, they were veneered with either Vitadur Alpha or Vita VM7. A control group of each core-veneer combination was fired twice, and a second group was fired five times to induce thermal fatigue. Obtained microbars were subjected to microtensile bond strength tests. Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance. Microtensile bond strength values for Vita VM7 specimens were higher than those for Vitadur Alpha (P < .001). Although the number of firing cycles revealed no change in bond strength, the veneering material proved to be an important factor.