Optical and Mechanical Properties of New Ceramic CAD/CAM Materials

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the optical and mechanical properties of newer ceramic CAD/CAM materials to more established materials on the market.

Methods and materials: The following ceramic materials were tested: lithium disilicate/lithium-aluminum silicate (Tessera, Dentsply/Sirona), lithium disilicate (Initial LiSi Block, GC), IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent), and 4Y polycrystalline stabilized zirconia (IPS e.max ZirCAD MT, Ivoclar Vivadent; Katana STML, Kuraray; YZ ST, VITA). Optical properties (translucency, opalescence) were determined using a dental spectrophotometer on 0.5-, 1.0-, 1.5-, or 2.0-mm specimens. Mechanical properties (flexural strength, flexural modulus, flexural fatigue strength, Weibull modulus, and characteristic strength) were determined with beams undergoing 3-point bend testing. The data were analyzed with multiple analyses of variance and Tukey's post hoc tests (α=0.05).

Results: Significant differences were found between groups based on type of ceramic or property (p<0.05).

Conclusions: In general, the lithium disilicate based-ceramic materials had greater optical properties and lower mechanical properties than the zirconia-based ceramic materials.