Failure load of joined zirconium dioxide components

Abstract

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM. Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) ceramic material has been reported to possess remarkably high flexural strength; however, after sintering zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) frameworks and fixed partial dentures, some may not fit properly when trying them on their master cast. PURPOSE. The objective of this study was to investigate joining fully sintered YTZ-P by various methods including adhesive cements or fusion with intervening materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS. 216 specimens were used in this study; bars were fabricated from Vita In-Ceram YZ blocks and three bars were joined using dental cements; RelyX Unicem 2 Clicker and Multilink Automix, or fusing them with VM9, Infusion Glass, Boron Oxide, Aluminum Oxide, LUDOX, Colloidal Zirconia and Mullite Zirconia. The load to failure in Newtons was determined using a 3-point bending test. RESULTS. Sandblasted bars for RelyX (64.38N, RelyX-A-Sb) and Multilink (48.58N, M-Sb) wasn’t significantly higher compared to as-sintered groups (45.87N, RelyX-A) and (34.69N, M-A). Coating the bars with Monobond-Plus had a significantly higher load to failure 123.22N, RelyX-A-MP and 136.06N, M-MP compared to as-sintered and sandblasted groups. VM9 at an end firing temperature (EFT) of 1200 °C was significantly higher (228.97N, V-5) compared to lower fusing temperatures. Glass at an end firing temperature of 1200 °C was significantly higher (460.32N, G-6) compared to lower fusing temperatures. Frit at an end firing temperature of 1200 °C was significantly higher (214.52N, F-6) compared to lower fusing temperatures. Optical microscopy showed that Glass group G-6 (1200°C, EFT) had a thickness range from .09 to 0.03 mm while for Glass-A (1050°C, EFT) it was 0.5 mm. CONCLUSIONS. Within the limitations of this study, we concluded that sandblasted bars didn’t significantly increase the means load to failure values compared to as-sintered groups. Coating the bars with Monobond-Plus had a significantly higher load to failure compared to as-sintered and sandblasted groups. VM9, Glass and Frit at an end firing temperature of 1200 °C showed significantly higher means load to failure compared to lower fusing temperature groups.