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Quasistatic Mechanical Testing for Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing Occlusal Veneers Cemented to Milled Dentin Analog Material
Published on: December 20, 2024
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Simulated oral environment affects zirconia aging and mechanical strength
Danyal A Siddiqui1, Smriti G Natarajan2, Bhuvana Lakkasetter Chandrashekar3
1Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA; Department of Oral Biology, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, NJ, USA.
Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
|October 5, 2025
Summary
Zirconia dental implants may degrade in the mouth. Acid-etching and oral bacteria exposure significantly increase zirconia surface degradation and reduce mechanical strength, compromising implant longevity.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Materials
- Surface Engineering
Background:
- Zirconia is a promising alternative to titanium for dental implants.
- Zirconia surfaces can degrade in aqueous environments, affecting mechanical performance.
- Understanding surface treatment effects on zirconia integrity is crucial for implant success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of simulated oral cavity conditions on surface-treated zirconia.
- To assess changes in surface integrity and mechanical strength after biological exposure or aging.
- To determine how surface treatments (polishing, acid-etching, sandblasting) influence zirconia degradation.
Main Methods:
- Zirconia specimens (yttria- or magnesia-stabilized) were subjected to polishing, acid-etching, or sandblasting.
- Specimens were exposed to mammalian cells or bacteria, and aged via autoclave steam.
- Surface degradation (tetragonal-to-monoclinic transformation) was analyzed using Raman microscopy; morphology by SEM; mechanical strength by four-point bend tests.
Main Results:
- Acid-etched yttria-stabilized zirconia showed a significant 5-fold increase in monoclinic content after bacterial exposure.
- Accelerated aging rapidly increased monoclinic content on acid-etched zirconia (54.6% at 4h, 77.0% at 20h).
- Acid-etching significantly reduced flexural strength (585 MPa), while sandblasting (922 MPa) and machining (921 MPa) were comparable; aging reduced strength in machined and sandblasted zirconia.
Conclusions:
- Acid-etching and acidic environments enhance zirconia's susceptibility to surface degradation.
- Surface integrity and mechanical properties of zirconia are negatively impacted by these conditions.
- Surface treatments and oral environment factors critically influence the long-term stability of zirconia dental implants.
