Influence of Polishing and Glazing on Surface Characteristics and Biofilm Formation on Zirconia: An In Vitro Study
Gabriela de Arruda Ribeiro,
Viviane de Cássia Oliveira,
Adriana Cláudia Lápria Faria,
Ana Paula Macedo,
Carla Roberta de Oliveira Maciel,
Cláudia Helena Lovato da Silva,
Ricardo Faria Ribeiro,
Renata Cristina Silveira Rodrigues
Affiliations
Gabriela de Arruda Ribeiro
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthesis, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Café Avenue S/N, Ribeirão Preto 14040-904, SP, Brazil
Viviane de Cássia Oliveira
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthesis, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Café Avenue S/N, Ribeirão Preto 14040-904, SP, Brazil
Adriana Cláudia Lápria Faria
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthesis, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Café Avenue S/N, Ribeirão Preto 14040-904, SP, Brazil
Ana Paula Macedo
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthesis, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Café Avenue S/N, Ribeirão Preto 14040-904, SP, Brazil
Carla Roberta de Oliveira Maciel
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthesis, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Café Avenue S/N, Ribeirão Preto 14040-904, SP, Brazil
Cláudia Helena Lovato da Silva
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthesis, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Café Avenue S/N, Ribeirão Preto 14040-904, SP, Brazil
Ricardo Faria Ribeiro
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthesis, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Café Avenue S/N, Ribeirão Preto 14040-904, SP, Brazil
Renata Cristina Silveira Rodrigues
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthesis, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Café Avenue S/N, Ribeirão Preto 14040-904, SP, Brazil
Background: Monolithic zirconia has attracted considerable interest in dentistry due to its favorable physical and mechanical properties, making it a promising alternative for crown fabrication. Nonetheless, a standardized finishing protocol for this material has yet to be established. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the surface characteristics and in vitro biofilm formation of zirconia finished by either polishing or glazing. Methods: A total of 72 zirconia specimens were fabricated and divided into control, glazing, and polishing groups. Surface analysis included roughness, wettability, and surface free energy. Microbiological analysis included CFU (colony-forming units per mL) counts, microbial adhesion at 2, 4, 6, and 8 h, biofilm biovolume, and qualitative biofilm assessment via scanning electron microscopy (sEm). Results: The glazing group showed significantly greater roughness than the polishing (p = 0.006) and control (p = 0.016) groups, along with a lower contact angle (polishing—p = 0.002; control—p p = 0.005; control—p C. albicans, p = 0.158; L. casei, p = 0.610; S. mutans, p = 0.904). Regarding microbial adhesion, the polishing group showed a smaller biofilm-covered area compared to the control group for both total biofilm (p = 0.008) and viable biofilm (p = 0.005). no statistically significant difference was observed in biofilm biovolume (p = 0.082). Conclusions: These findings suggest that, despite the surface differences among the groups, biofilm formation was not significantly affected.
