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.
Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Colegio Máximo de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
Estrella
E
Osorio
Manuel
M
Toledano
Bruno Lopes
BL
da Silveira
Raquel
R
Osorio
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