Effect of liner and porcelain application on zirconia surface structure and composition

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an effect of liner and porcelain application (layering and pressing techniques) on the surface of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZP), which were exposed to permutations of liner, layered porcelain, and pressed porcelain. Scanning electron microscope (SEM)/energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS) was used to identify changes in composition and microstructure after removing liner and porcelain with hydrofluoric acid. Simulated aging was also conducted to determine the effect of liner and porcelain on low-temperature degradation. The control group had a typical equiaxed grain structure, referred to as unaffected. When covered with liner or porcelain, some areas changed in structure and composition and were termed affected. The frequency of affected structure decreased when liner was covered with either layered porcelain or pressed porcelain. There were statistical differences (P<0.05) in the composition between affected and unaffected for zirconium (layered porcelain with liner: affected=60% (0.8%) (m/m), unaffected=69% (4%), layered porcelain without liner: affected=59% (3%), unaffected=65% (3%)) and oxygen (layered porcelain with liner: affected=35% (2%), unaffected=26% (4%), layered porcelain without liner: affected=35% (3%), unaffected=30% (2%)). However, there were statistical differences (P<0.05) in the composition for zirconium and oxygen of the aged layered porcelain without liner only. The liner should not be used before porcelain application, especially when using the layering technique for zirconia restorations. Furthermore, pressing should be considered the technique of choice over layering.