Effect of different surface treatments on In-Ceram Alumina roughness. An AFM study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different treatments on the surface roughness of In-Ceram Alumina (VITA, Säckingen, Germany).


METHODS
The ceramic blocks were polished (4000 grit) and sandblasted (SB) with airborne particle abrasion Al(2)O(3); 110 microm particle size; 2.8 bar; 20s. The following treatments were performed: (1) no treatment; (2) Rocatec System (RC): after SB treatment, sandblasting with silica powder; 30 microm particle size; 2.8 bar; 20s. (3) Neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (ND) application of graphite powder (stain) on the ceramic surface and Nd:YAG laser irradiation (distance: 1mm, 100mJ, 20 Hz, 2W, and 141.54J/cm(2)). (4) Nd:YAG laser plus Rocatec System: after ND treatments, RC was applied. Digital images (20 microm x 20 microm) from the surfaces were obtained by means of an AFM microscope in taping mode (Nanoscope IIIa, Digital Instruments). Roughness was measured in 10 microm x 10 microm boxes. Roughness (R(a)) data (nm) were analyzed by one-way ANOVA (p<0.05).


RESULTS
No differences in ceramic surfaces roughness occurred after any of the tested treatments (p=0.54).


CONCLUSIONS
High-alumina ceramic surface roughness was not increased with any of the tested treatments.
Osorio
Estrella
E
Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Colegio Máximo de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
Toledano
Manuel
M
da Silveira
Bruno Lopes
BL
Osorio
Raquel
R
D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D045662:Dental Etching / Q000379:methods; D003775:Dental Polishing / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000737:chemistry*; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D008422:Materials Testing; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D010316:Particle Size; D011312:Pressure; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
D003776:Dental Porcelain; C070870:In-Ceram; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D006108:Graphite; D000537:Aluminum Oxide