Micro-slurry jet for surface processing of dental ceramics

Abstract

A micro-slurry jet (MSJ) was used for removing microscopic cracks and microstructural defects on surfaces of dental ceramics, in which the MSJ functioned as a wet blasting machine using mixed alumina particles and water to spray workpiece surfaces by a compressed air. Plate specimens made from a composite resin ceramic (CERASMART 270) and a zirconia ceramic (KZR-CAD Zr) were prepared using a dental computer-aided manufacturing system. The results indicate that the MSJ processing has removed the microscopic cracks and defects on surfaces of the composite resin ceramic, and improved the material bending strength. In comparison, the MSJ processing created spraying patterns on zirconia surfaces due to the movement of the MSJ injection nozzle. The bending strength of the MSJ processed zirconia was slightly deteriorated because of the MSJ-induced patterns which might have led to stress concentrations on the ceramic surfaces.

Keywords

• bending strength
• nozzles
• dentistry
• surface finishing
• surface roughness
• slurries
• zirconium compounds
• internal stresses
• alumina
• bioceramics
• resins
• cracks
• biomechanics
• MSJ-induced patterns
• ceramic surfaces
• microslurry jet
• dental ceramics
• microscopic cracks
• microstructural defects
• wet blasting machine
• mixed alumina particles
• plate specimens
• composite resin ceramic
• zirconia ceramic
• MSJ processing
• zirconia surfaces
• MSJ injection nozzle
• bending strength
• dental computer-aided manufacturing system
• ZrO(2)