Do Different Chairside Finishing/Polishing Procedures, Either Alone or Followed by Glazing, Impact The Surface Properties of Ground Monolithic Zirconia?

PURPOSE: To analyze the surface roughness and topography of ground monolithic zirconia after three finishing/polishing methods, with or without glazing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens (5.0×2.0 mm) were obtained and mounted in a custom device (5.0×1.7 mm). The excess (0.3 mm) was ground using a diamond stone. Ground specimens were finished/polished as follows (n=14): (C-control) as-ground; (FDB) fine-grained diamond bur, felt disc, and polishing diamond paste; (CP) ceramic polishing kit; (FDB+CP) fine-grained Any blinded information will be available then. diamond bur, ceramic polishers, felt disc, and polishing diamond paste. Then, half of the specimens (n=7) from each group were glazed. Surface roughness (Ra) was measured using a profilometer, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to assess the surface topography. Statistical analyses (α=.05) included 2-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests for Ra data. RESULTS: The FDB and CP groups had the highest and lowest Ra values, respectively (p.05). There were no differences in Ra after glazing (p>.05). Glazing decreased the Ra in the FDB and FDB+CP groups (p<.05). SEM images revealed distinct topographical features on the sample surfaces before glazing. Applying the glaze layer seemed to have the potential to even out the surface pattern, irrespective of the finishing/polishing method. CONCLUSIONS: The surface roughness of ground monolithic zirconia was influenced by finishing and polishing methods as well as glazing. Glaze application produced comparable surface patterns, regardless of the initial roughness. Without glazing, the ceramic polishing kit resulted in lower surface roughness.