Effect of Acidic Media on Surface Topography and Color Stability of Two Different Glass Ceramics

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of two acidic beverages (orange juice and H₃PO₄-containing fizzy drink) on the surface topography and color stability of two commonly used computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) ceramic materials.

Sixty samples of two CAD/CAM ceramic materials, lithium disilicate (IPS e-max CAD) and zirconia reinforced lithium silicate (Vita Suprinity), were prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions. The samples were immersed in one of three media (artificial saliva, orange juice and H₃PO₄-containing fizzy drink) and then stored in an incubator at 37 °C for 24 hours). Before and after immersion in different media, the surface roughness (Ra) of the samples was assessed using profilometer (JITAI8101 Surface Roughness Tester-Beijing Jitai Tech Detection Device Co. Ltd, China) and the color parameters were measured using VITA Easyshade Advance 4.01 (VITA shade, VITA made, VITA). Surface topography was observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and surface mineral content was compared before and after immersion. Paired sample t-test was used to determine the change in Ra before and after immersion. Two-way analysis of variance was used to determine the effect of different CAD/CAM materials and immersion media on the mean ∆Ra and mean ∆E of the studied groups. Tukey's honest significant difference posthoc test was used for multiple comparisons at a level of significance (α = 0.05).

A significant increase in Ra and a decrease in the color stability of the two investigated ceramic materials were detected after immersion in the acidic media than in artificial saliva. SEM and energy-dispersive X-ray results revealed the dissolution of the glassy matrix and the exposure of silicate crystals.

The surface topography and color stability of glass ceramics are affected by the pH of different acidic media.