Effect of orthodontic bonding with different surface treatments on color stability and translucency of full cubic stabilized zirconia after coffee thermocycling

OBJECTIVE: To assess the color stability and translucency of full cubic stabilized zirconia (FSZ) following orthodontic bonding with different surface treatments and coffee thermocycling (CTC). METHODS: This in vitro study was conducted on 120 disc-shaped specimens of FSZ. Thirty specimens were selected as the control group and remained intact. The remaining specimens were randomly divided into three groups based on the type of surface treatment (n = 30) airborne particle abrasion (APA), silica-coating (CoJet), and carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser. After metal bracket bonding in the test groups, debonding and polishing were performed. Subsequently, all specimens underwent CTC (10,000 cycles). Color parameters, color difference (ΔE(00)), and translucency parameter (TP) were measured three times at baseline (t0), after debonding and polishing (t1), and after CTC (t2). Data were statistically analyzed (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Significant difference existed among the groups regarding ΔE(00)t0t2 (p < 0.001). The APA group showed minimum (ΔE(00) = 1.15 ± 0.53) and the control group showed maximum (ΔE(00) = 0.19 ± 0.02) color stability, with no significant difference between the laser and CoJet groups (p = 0.511). The four groups were significantly different regarding ∆TPt0t2 (p < 0.001). Maximal increases in TP were noted in the CoJet (1.00 ± 0.18) and APA (1.04 ± 0.38) groups while minimal increase was recorded in the control group (0.1 ± 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic treatment makes zirconia restorations susceptible to discoloration and increased translucency. Nonetheless, the recorded ∆E(00) and ∆TP did not exceed the acceptability threshold.