title: Influence of different surface treatments on surface zirconia frameworks.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of different chemo-mechanical surface treatments of zirconia ceramic in the attempt to improve its bonding potential.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sintered zirconium oxide ceramic discs (Lava Ø10mm x 1mm height) were treated with (n=4): (1) airborne particle abrasion with 125microm Al(2)O(3) particles; (2) 9.5% HF acid etching; (3) selective infiltration etching (SIE); (4) experimental hot etching solution applied for 10, 30 and 60min; (5) no treatment. Ceramic discs surfaces were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) recording average surface roughness measurements of the substrate. Data were statistically analyzed by Kruskall-Wallis analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney tests (alpha=0.05). The same discs were used for bi-dimensional zirconia ceramic surface characterization with scanning electron microscope (SEM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ceramic surface treatments significantly influenced surface topography and roughness (p<0.001). Bi-dimensional changes in ceramic surface morphology were assessed on a nanometric scale. The experimental hot etching solution improved surface roughness, independently from the application time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zirconia conditioning with the experimental hot etching solution may enhance ceramic roughness and improve the surface area available for adhesion allowing the formation of micromechanical retention. The influence of this surface treatment with regard to bond strength of zirconia needs to be addressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Fixed Prosthodontics and Dental Materials, University of Siena, Policlinico Le Scotte, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casucci
authors.forename: Estrella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Osorio
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Osorio
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Monticelli
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toledano
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mazzitelli
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrari
mesh_terms: D020906:Air Abrasion, Dental; D003442:Crowns; D045662:Dental Etching / Q000379:methods; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D016379:Denture, Partial, Fixed, Resin-Bonded; D008422:Materials Testing; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013499:Surface Properties; D015040:Zirconium
chemical_list: D003776:Dental Porcelain; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide