Impact of CAD/CAM burs lifetime on surface properties of dental zirconia: Implications for biocompatibility of custom abutments

Objective

To evaluate the effect of the deterioration of computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) burs during zirconia milling, on surface roughness, contact angle, and fibroblast viability.

Materials and Methods

Ceramic blocks were milled and 75 ceramic disks (8 × 1.5 mm) made and allocated into three groups (n = 25): G1-brand new 2L and 1L burs, G2-2L bur at the end of lifetime and brand new 1L bur and G3-both burs at the end of their lifetimes. Roughness (Ra, Rq, and Rz) was evaluated using a 3D optical profilometer, the contact angle by the sessile drop method and the cell viability of the mouse NIH/3T3 fibroblast, using the Alamar Blue assay at intervals of 24, 48, and 72 h (ISO 10993-5). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis tests (p ≤ 0.05).

Results

Roughness increased as the burs deteriorated and G3 (0.27 ± 0.04) presented a higher value for Ra (p < 0.001). The highest contact angle was observed in G3 (86.2 ± 2.66) when compared with G1 (63.7 ± 12.49) and G2 (75.3 ± 6.36) (p < 0.001). Alamar Blue indicated an increase in cell proliferation, with no significant differences among the groups at 24 and 72 h (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The deterioration of the burs increased the surface roughness and decreased the wettability, but did not interfere in cell viability and proliferation.

Clinical Significance

The use of custom zirconia abutments represents an effective strategy for single crowns restorations. Our findings suggest that these abutments can be efficiently milled using CAD/CAM burs within their recommended lifetime.