Effect of toothbrushing on the optical properties and surface roughness of extrinsically stained high-translucency zirconia

Abstract

Objectives: The effect of toothbrushing on the color, relative translucency, and surface roughness of extrinsically stained zirconia dental restorations is still unclear. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the optical properties and surface textures of extrinsically stained or glazed partially stabilized zirconia with 5 mol% yttria (5Y-PSZ) after toothbrushing by determining changes in the color, translucency parameter (TP), and surface roughness.

Materials and methods: Specimens (2 mm thick; n = 50) were sectioned from 5Y-PSZ blanks. Three brands of powdered stains (namely VI, SH, IV) and a glaze (GL) were used to extrinsically stain the specimen surfaces (n = 10 per group). The specimens were subjected to 10,000-50,000 simulated toothbrushing strokes using a toothpaste slurry (Ora2 PREMIUM Stain clear paste). The color parameters were measured before staining or glazing and before and after simulated brushing. The color changes and TP values can be calculated before and after simulated brushing. The surface roughness was also evaluated.

Results: Significant changes were found in the shade and TP values of 5Y-PSZ after extrinsic staining, but no significant changes were found after toothbrushing, irrespective of the staining brand (p > 0.05). The surface roughness of the characterized 5Y-PSZ specimens decreased after toothbrushing, whereas that of the non-characterized 5Y-PSZ group increased.

Conclusions: Toothbrushing markedly affects the surface roughness of extrinsically stained or glazed 5Y-PSZ specimens, whereas no impacts on the color or translucency were observed.

Clinical relevance: For esthetic reasons, clinicians and dental technicians prefer to apply extrinsic stains to zirconia restorations, which profoundly affects its appearance. The limited influence of toothbrushing on color and translucency of 5Y-PSZ is promising for clinical applications.

Keywords: 5 mol% yttria partially stabilized zirconia; Extrinsic staining; Thickness reduction; Toothbrushing; Translucency.