• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.385-395
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• 2021

PURPOSE. To characterize the microstructure of three yttria partially stabilized zirconia ceramics and to compare their hardness, indentation fracture resistance (IFR), biaxial flexural strength (BFS), and fatigue flexural strength. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Disc-shaped specimens were obtained from 3Y-TZP (Vita YZ HT), 4Y-PSZ (Vita YZ ST) and 5Y-PSZ (Vita YZ XT), following the ISO 6872/2015 guidelines for BFS testing (final dimensions of 12 mm in diameter, 0.7 and 1.2 ± 0.1 mm in thicknesses). Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed, and mechanical properties were assessed by Vickers hardness, IFR, quasi-static BFS and fatigue tests. RESULTS. All ceramics showed similar chemical compositions, but mainly differed in the amount of yttria, which was higher as the amount of cubic phase in the diffractogram (5Y-PSZ > 4Y-PSZ > 3Y-TZP). The 4Y- and 5Y-PSZ specimens showed surface defects under SEM, while 3Y-TZP exhibited greater grain uniformity on the surface. 5Y-PSZ and 3Y-TZP presented the highest hardness values, while 3Y-TZP was higher than 4Y- and 5Y-PSZ with regard to the IFR. The 5Y-PSZ specimen (0.7 and 1.2 mm) showed the worst mechanical performance (fatigue BFS and cycles until failure), while 3Y-TZP and 4Y-PSZ presented statistically similar values, higher than 5Y-PSZ for both thicknesses (0.7 and 1.2 mm). Moreover, 3Y-TZP showed the highest (1.2 mm group) and the lowest (0.7 mm group) degradation percentage, and 5Y-PSZ had higher strength degradation than 4Y-PSZ group. CONCLUSION. Despite the microstructural differences, 4Y-PSZ and 3Y-TZP had similar fatigue behavior regardless of thickness. 5Y-PSZ had the lowest mechanical performance.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.405-417
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• 2010

Previous studies have already shown that mouthguard is effective in protecting jaw bone, teeth and oral tissue against sports trauma. However, other than severe trauma, repetitive force, such as disorders like clenching, cause teeth or oral tissue damage. These kinds of disorders usually present pathologic attrition in the posterior teeth, resorption in alveolar bone, loss of teeth and destruction of occlusion. Wearing a mouthguard is believed to be effective in preventing these disorders. But its effect is not examined thoroughly enough. The purpose of this study is to identify whether mouthguard is effective in reducing strain caused by clenching. Mandibular first molars in the normal occlusal relationship without any history of dental treatment were chosen. Biaxial type strain gauge was placed on the buccal surface of the tooth. Having maximum occlusal force, measured by load cell, as a standard, clenching intensity were divided into three stages; moment of slightly tooth contact, medium bite force (50% of maximum bite force), maximum bite force. Strain occurring in dentition in each stage with and without mouthguard was measured. Changes in strain (on dentition) between each stage and difference in strain, between with or without mouthguard were recorded by PCD-300 analyzer and PCD-30 soft ware. The data was statistically analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test. The following results were drawn; Without mouthguard, strain given on dentition increased as the clenching force increased. With mouthguard, strain given on dentition also increased as the clenching force increased. With mouthguard, strain decreased, in all cases of clenching force stages. Data on the moment of slightly tooth contact stage, had no statistical significance. However, with mouthguard, 50-90% of decrease in strain could be obtained in maximum occlusal force, compared to the group without mouthguard. Mouthguard decreased the strain on the dentition, caused by clenching. Therefore, mouthguard seems to be effective in preventing damage on dentition, by acting against clenching, which occurs both consciously and unconsciously during sports activities.