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Artificial Aging of Zirconium Dioxide: An Evaluation of Current Knowledge and Clinical Relevance

  • Dental Restorative Materials (M Özcan, section editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Due to its superior mechanical properties, yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal is considered as one of the most promising materials to manufacture prosthetic frameworks, monolithic crowns, and abutments for implants in dentistry. When stabilized in the tetragonal phase, the structure of zirconia can respond to external stress by increasing its toughness and resistance. Unfortunately, when subjected to a humid environment, zirconia may undergo considerable degradation characterized by increased surface roughness, grain growth, and propagation of microcracks that could be detrimental for its mechanical properties. This phenomenon, also known as low-temperature degradation (LTD), when not minimized, may represent a setback for the longevity of zirconia especially used for biomedical applications. LTD is studied in in vitro or in vivo settings employing different strategies. Present clinical studies, however, with their shortcomings, do not signify high incidence of failures of zirconia for dental applications. The LTD of zirconia is currently being criticized based on laboratory testing which may be suboptimal. This review will highlight the existing knowledge on the artificial aging methods studying LTD in zirconia and their relevance considering clinical performance of zirconia prostheses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dental Materials Unit, Center for Dental and Oral Medicine, Clinic for Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and Dental Materials Science, University of Zurich, Plattenstrasse 11, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland

    Mutlu Özcan

  2. Health Sciences Center, Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil

    Cláudia Ângela Maziero Volpato

  3. Technological Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil

    Márcio Celso Fredel

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  1. Mutlu Özcan
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  2. Cláudia Ângela Maziero Volpato
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  3. Márcio Celso Fredel
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Correspondence to Mutlu Özcan.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Dental Restorative Materials

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Özcan, M., Volpato, C.Â.M. & Fredel, M.C. Artificial Aging of Zirconium Dioxide: An Evaluation of Current Knowledge and Clinical Relevance. Curr Oral Health Rep 3, 193–197 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40496-016-0096-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40496-016-0096-9

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