Abstract
Purpose: The increased aesthetic requirements and demands of patients have resulted in the developments of coloring liquid for zirconia. Methods: In this study, zirconia block was dipped into $Fe(NO_3)_3$solution, which showed a color and then concentration of $Fe(NO_3)_3$and zirconia's color and physical properties depending on the dipping time were observed and compared with exclusive coloring solutions. As the result, the following conclusions were obtained. Results: When compared with the specimens that were colored using exclusive solutions, $L^*$ value rose overall depending on the concentration of $Fe(NO_3)_3$and $a^*$ value was red in the form of (+) in all the specimens. Also, $b^*$ value was in the form of (+) at 0.5 to $1{\ss}fl$, but was in the form of (-) at 1.5 to $2{\ss}fl$. The dipping time did not highly influence $L^*$ value, but $a^*$ value and $b^*$ value were directly opposite to the specimens, which were not colored, except the sample that was dipped for only 2 seconds. When compared with exclusive coloring solutions, $Fe(NO_3)_3$had the most similar color at 0.5 to $1{\ss}fl$ and the longer the coloring time, the higher the rate of color change became. In relation to the density change depending on the addition of $Fe(NO_3)_3$, there was the lowest density at $2{\ss}fl$ and the density was increased in the specimens that were not colored. Conclusion: These results show that $Fe(NO_3)_3$solution can be used to make colored zirconia. It is expected that newly made colored zirconia can be used in clinical practice because the colored zirconia not only possesses the mechanical properties that all ceramic core material should have but also was biocompatible to a living cells.
