Influence of different glaze firing protocols on the mechanical properties of CAD-CAM ceramic materials

Statement of problem: The influence of different glaze firing protocols and cooling on the behavior of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) ceramics is unclear. Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the influence of different glaze firing protocols on the abrasion resistance, surface roughness, microhardness, and brittleness index of CAD-CAM ceramics. Material and methods: Rectangular specimens of IPS e.max CAD (MAX), IPS Empress CAD (PRE), and CEREC Blocs (CER) were obtained and divided into 5 groups according to the glaze firing protocol (n=8): control (CO), 1 conventional glaze firing (GF), 2 conventional glaze firings (GF2), 1 extended glaze firing (EG), and 2 extended glaze firings (EG2). The coefficient of friction (μ) was determined with the pin-on-disk test, and specimens were analyzed with an optical interferometer to calculate volume loss and roughness. Vickers microhardness and the brittleness index were obtained with a microdurometer. Microhardness data were evaluated by 2-way ANOVA and the Sidak tests (α=.05). Data from other tests were assessed with nonparametric ANOVA and Bonferroni tests (α=.05). Results: Groups GF2, EG, and EG2 of MAX and PRE and all groups of CER presented higher levels of coefficient of friction. Groups EG and EG2 of MAX and CER showed high volume loss and surface roughness. Groups EG and EG2 of MAX and PRE showed lower hardness, as did all groups of CER. MAX-CO and groups GF and EG of PRE showed a lower brittleness index (P<.05), while CER groups showed no significant differences (P>.05). Conclusions: Ceramic specimens with conventional glaze firing presented less surface wear than those with extended glaze firing. The number of firings did not have a statistically significant influence.