Available online 21 November 2022

Pigmentation to promote a A2 shade, do not impair the fatigue behavior of luted 4YSZ.

Association of techniques induces worse fatigue behavior compared to only staining.

Post-sintering pigmentation cause a rougher surface than pre-sintering techniques.

To characterize the effect of pigmentation techniques on the fatigue behavior of a 4YSZ ceramic adhesively luted onto dentin analog (glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin).

4YSZ ceramic discs (Ø= 10 mm, 1 mm thickness) were allocated into 5 groups: Ctrl – unshaded (IPS e.max ZirCAD MT BL); Manuf – shaded by the manufacturer (IPS e.max ZirCAD MT A2); Brush – unshaded pigmented, pre-sintering, using a brush; Stain – unshaded pigmented, post-sintering, during glaze application; Brush+Stain – combination of both techniques. Color assessments ensured the same perceived color (Vita Classical A2). Dentin analog discs (Ø= 10 mm, 2.5 mm thickness) were obtained, paired with the 4YSZ discs, and adhesively luted using a resin cement. Cyclic fatigue testing (n = 15) was run (20 Hz; 10,000 cycles/step, initial load 200 N; step-size 100 N up to 700 N; then 50 N until specimen failure). Fractographic, roughness and topography analyses were performed.

No statistical (p > 0.05) detrimental influence were observed for fatigue outcomes (Ctrl = Manuf = Brush = Stain = Brush+Stain). However, the Brush+Stain technique induced inferior statistical (p < 0.05) fatigue performance compared to Stain. All failures were radial cracks with origin at the ceramic intaglio surface. The staining technique triggered statistically higher roughness (p < 0.05). Uniformly sized zirconia crystals were seen in the Ctrl, Manuf and Brush groups, and a smooth vitreous surface with encrusted pigments in the Stain and Brush+Stain groups.

Pigmentation techniques (Vita Classical A2 shade) have no detrimental effect on the mechanical fatigue properties of 4YSZ ceramic adhesively luted onto dentin analog.

Fatigue

Pigmentation techniques

Shading

Staining

Yttrium stabilized zirconia

© 2022 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.