Comparison of Regular and Speed Sintering on Low-Temperature Degradation and Fatigue Resistance of Translucent Zirconia Crowns for Implants: An In Vitro Study

Background: Although there are a few studies which compare fast and slow sintering in normal zirconia crowns, it is essential to compare the cracks and load-bearing capacity in zirconia screw-retained implant crowns between regular and speed sintering protocols. This research aimed to compare the surface structure, cracks, and load-bearing capacity in zirconia screw-retained implant crowns between regular sintering (RS) and speed sintering (SS) protocol with and without cyclic loading (fatigue). Methods: A total of 60 screw-retained crowns were fabricated from zirconia (Katana STML Block) by the CAD/CAM system. Then, 30 crowns were subjected to the RS protocol and 30 crowns were subjected to the SS protocol. Cyclic loading was done in half zirconia crowns (15 crowns in each group) using a chewing simulator CS-4.8/CS-4.4 at room temperature. The loading force was applied on the middle of the crowns by a metal stylus underwater at room temperature with a chewing simulator at an axial 50 N load for 240,000 cycles and lateral movement at 2 mm. Scanning electron microscopy was done to study the surface of the crowns and the cracks in the crowns of the regular and speed sintering protocols, with and without fatigue. Results: For the speed sintering group, the surface looks more uniform, and the crack lines are present at a short distance compared to regular sintering. The sintering protocol with a larger Weibull module and durability increases the reliability. It showed that the Speed group showed the maximum fracture load, followed by the regular, speed fatigue, and regular fatigue groups. The fracture load in various groups showed significant differences. Conclusions: It was found that the speed group showed the maximum fracture load followed by the regular, speed fatigue, and regular fatigue. The crack lines ran from occlusal to bottoms (gingiva) and the arrest lines were perpendicular to the crack propagations.