Abstract
Background
Short-time sintering may offer advantages including saving time and energy but there is limited evidence on the effect that altering sintering time has on the accuracy of monolithic zirconia crowns. The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the effect of shortened sintering time on the marginal and internal fit of 3Y-TZP (three mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal) and 4Y-TZP (four mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal) monolithic crowns.
Methods
Sixty monolithic zirconia crowns were fabricated for the maxillary first molar tooth on the prefabricated implant abutment. Groups were created according to the material composition: 3Y-TZP Generation 1 (alumina wt; ≤0.5%, < 15% cubic phase), 3Y-TZP Generation 2 (alumina wt; ≤0.05%, < 15% cubic phase) and 4Y-TZP (alumina wt; ≤0.05%, > 25% cubic phase). Two different sintering protocols were performed: same final sintering temperature (1500°C) and various rates of heating (10°C/min and 40°C/min), cooling down speed (-10°C/min and − 40°C/min), holding time (45 and 120 minutes), and total sintering time (approximately 2 and 7 hours, respectively). The marginal and internal fit of the crowns were determined using the silicone replica technique. Comparisons between groups and sintering times were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. Pairwise multiple comparisons were performed using the t-test (p < 0.05).
Results
The mean marginal gap values of 4Y-TZP zirconia revealed statistically significant increase for the speed sintering protocol (p < 0.0001), while no difference was observed between the sintering protocols for the mean marginal gap values of 3Y-TZP groups.
Conclusions
Although all groups showed clinically acceptable gap values (<120 µm), altering the sintering time had an effect on the marginal fit of the crowns manufactured from 4Y-TZP zirconia. Shortening the sintering time may lead to differences within clinically acceptable limits. The manufacturer's recommendations according to material composition should be implemented with care.