BACKGROUND: The color of all ceramic restorations has a significant effect on the final appearance of the restoration. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different shading techniques on the color stability of monolithic zirconia crowns cemented on the upper anterior teeth. METHODS: In this study, there were nine patients. Each patient has undergone a reduction for the upper six anterior teeth. Fifty-four zirconia jacket crowns were constructed using CAD/CAM technique. According to the shading technique, the crowns were categorized into two groups (pre-shaded and liquid shaded), where the upper right reduced teeth received pre-shaded zirconia crowns while the upper left reduced teeth received liquid-shaded zirconia crowns according to the selected shade. The color was assessed using easy shade after cementation and 1 year follow-up period. Data were collected, tabulated, and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Color change (ΔE) of the cemented pre-shaded zirconia crowns on the upper right central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines was 2.37, 2.84, and 1.92, respectively, while color change (ΔE) of the cemented liquid-shaded zirconia crowns on the upper left central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines was 2.52, 2.88, and 2.77, respectively. Color change of both pre-shaded and liquid-shaded zirconia crowns after 1 year follow-up was within the clinically acceptable range 1>E>3.7, and there was no significant difference between them. CONCLUSIONS: The aging and technique of shading had no significant effect on the color of zirconia ceramic.

AIM: The focus of this research was to see how silica nanoparticles changed veneering porcelain over a zirconia core affected flexure strength, shear bond strength, and color. METHODS: A total number of 30 zirconia core veneer samples were constructed and classified according to silica nanoparticles modification of veneering porcelain into two groups: Group 1 (control group) veneering porcelain without any modification (n = 15) and Group 2 (modified group) veneering porcelain modified by silica nanoparticles (n = 15). Silica nanoparticles were added to the veneering porcelain powder at a rate of 5% by weight. Silica nanoparticles powder and veneering porcelain powder were manually crushed for about 10 min using a pestle and mortar then the mixed powder was combined with the porcelain moldings liquid to make a paste. After thermal cycling, each group was examined for flexural strength, shear bond strength, and color measurement (n = 5). Universal testing equipment was used to determine flexural and shear bond strength. The color shift was measured using a spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Flexural strength levels in the modified group (280.9 ± 29.85 Mpa) were substantially higher than in the control group (431.78 ± 22.73 Mpa). Shear bond strength values in the modified group (34.31 ± 5.6) were significantly higher than in the control group (26.97 ± 4.03). Color change was within the clinical acceptable range (1.71 ± 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of silica nanoparticles to veneering porcelain improved the flexural and shear bond strength, as well as, color change was within the clinical acceptable limits.