Comparison of surface topography and roughness in different yttrium oxide compositions of dental zirconia after grinding and polishing

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the surface roughness, phase transformation, and surface topography of dental zirconia with three different yttrium oxide compositions under same grinding and polishing conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three zirconia disks (IPS e.max ZirCAD LT, MT, MT multi, Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein) were selected for experimental materials. Sixty-nine bar-shaped specimens were fabricated as 12.0 × 6.0 × 4.0 mm using a milling machine and glazing was conducted on 12.0 × 6.0 mm surface by same operator. With a custom polishing device, 12.0 × 6.0 mm surfaces were polished under same condition. Surface roughness (Ra[µm]) was measured before grinding (C), after grinding (G), and at every 3 steps of polishing (P1, P2, P3). X-ray diffraction and FE-SEM observation was conducted before grinding, after grinding, and after fine polishing (P3). Statistical analysis of surface roughness was performed using Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney-U test was used as a post hoc test (α = .05). RESULTS: There were no significant differences of surface roughness between LT, MT, and MM groups. In LT, MT, and MM groups, P3 groups showed significantly lower surface roughness than C groups. X-ray diffraction showed grinding and polishing didn't lead to phase transformation on zirconia surface. In FE-SEM images, growths in grain size of zirconia were observed as yttrium oxide composition increases. CONCLUSION: Polished zirconia surface showed clinically acceptable surface roughness, but difference in yttrium oxide composition had no significant influence on the surface roughness. Therefore, in clinical situation, zirconia polishing burs could be used regardless of yttrium oxide composition.