The purpose of this study was to characterize the surface damages of zirconia by Nd:YAG dental laser irradiation through a systematic evaluation of the associated microstructural changes. Disk specimens of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZP) and ceria-stabilized zirconia/alumina nanocomposite (Ce-TZP/Al2O3 nanocomposite) were irradiated by Nd:YAG dental laser. The specimens were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and wavelength dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Every single irradiated spot was indicated by a circular black pit surrounded by a circular raised rim with a sunken depression at the center. On surface changes, many cracks were formed inside each irradiated pit. On changes in elemental composition, the concentration of oxygen decreased while that of zirconium increased. After heating in air, the assembly of circular black pits turned white, although the depression and raised rim remained. This study showed that Nd:YAG dental laser irradiation induced cracking and reduced oxygen content on the surface of zirconia. Consequently, these phenomena reduced the mechanical strength of zirconia. Therefore, Nd:YAG dental laser welding should not be performed on tetragonal zirconia.

Plate-like specimens were prepared, using a diamond saw, from Cercon -a pre-sintered yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) block. These specimens were treated with 10 kinds of dental materials which acted as contaminants, and then sintered at 1,350°C or 1,450°C. After the final firing, specimens were subjected to a three-point flexural test and Vickers hardness test. Their surfaces were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Phosphoruscontaining contaminants reduced the three-point flexural strength and hardness of final sintered zirconia due to the formation of YPO 4 and phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic zirconia. Gypsum also reduced both mechanical properties due to the formation of CaZrO 3 and phase transformation from tetragonal to cubic zirconia. Other contaminants showed no adverse effects on the mechanical properties of final sintered zirconia.

The surface of a ceria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Ce-TZP/Al 2 O 3 ) nanocomposite was sandblasted by alumina particles and veneered with feldspathic porcelain via a conventional condensation method. The part of each specimen containing the interface layer was sliced to ultrathin sections with an argon ion slicer, and these sliced sections were observed using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). For both interfaces, Ce-TZP/porcelain and Al 2 O 3 /porcelain, no transition layers due to abrupt changes in atomic distributions were observed. Besides, the porcelain layers of both interfaces consisted of homogeneous amorphous phases. These results suggested that both Ce-TZP and Al 2 O 3 could be directly bonded to porcelain by Van der Waals forces arising from the close contact between them.

The bond strengths between two kinds of zirconia and three kinds of feldspathic veneering porcelains were measured. The specimens were prepared at four firing temperatures for three holding periods, respective opaque porcelain was painted and vacuum-fired. Then, each dentin porcelain was condensed in an acrylic resin mold and vacuum-fired under the conditions mentioned above. Cross sections of the interface between zirconia and porcelain were observed with a scanning electron microscope. The specimens were fixed to specimen holder on a universal testing machine. Data of the bonding test were statistically analyzed. The results showed that all the four factors statistically affected the bonding strength (p<0.01). The contribution of the firing temperature was highest and that of the porcelain type was lowest (p<0.01).