Three-body wear effect on different CAD/CAM ceramics staining durability: Staining durability after wear

Regardless the materials properties, the vast majority of ceramic restorations could require an individualization through the extrinsic staining to improve aesthetics. This study aimed to compare the staining wear durability of different monolithic ceramics. Specimens of high translucent zirconia (YZHT), zirconia reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS), hybrid ceramic (HC) and feldspathic ceramic (FLD) were divided in five groups according to each material staining technique. The ZLS ceramic was tested with stained prior (ZLS1) and after crystallization (ZLS2). All specimens were extrinsically characterized, i.e. stained, and crystallized or sintered in specific ovens, according to the manufacturer's recommendation. The specimens were submitted to three-body wear tests in ACTA wear machine, simulating the presence of food bolus and antagonist (pH 7, 15 N, 1 Hz). The wear rate of the stain surface was determined after 5 intervals of 200,000 cycles, using a profilometer. The ceramic surface before and after staining, and after wear were inspected by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The wear rates were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey test. The wear rates of the staining were affected by ceramic and the number of cycles (P < 0.001). 100% of staining was removed after 200,000 cycles for HC, and after 600,000 cycles for YZHT and ZLS1. Staining of ZLS2 and FLD remained on ceramic surface even after 1,000,000 cycles. Furthermore, FLD showed a significant higher staining durability than ZLS2. SEM revealed different surface morphologies for each group with and without staining and after the wear test. Ceramics with fired staining showed higher durability compared to the polymerized one. The feldspar ceramic presented superior staining durability, followed by zirconia reinforced lithium silicate and high translucent zirconia. The conventional two steps staining technique showed improved durability for zirconia reinforced lithium silicate.