The comparisons of layers and the effect of additional firings on flexural strength and translucency of 5Y-ZP

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the flexural strength and translucency of three layers in 5Y-ZP and to assess the effect of additional firings on these properties. Materials and Methods: Sintered zirconia blocks were sectioned according to three layers : incisal, transition, and body. Disc-shaped specimens were fabricated from each layer. The diameter of specimens was 15.0 mm and each thickness of specimens for biaxial flexural strength test and translucency was 1.2 mm and 1.0 mm. The specimens were classified into subgroups according to the number of firing (0, 1, and 3 times; n = 10/subgroup) and the additional firings were performed under 900°C using a furnace. Biaxial flexural strength and translucency was measured using universal testing machine and uv-vis spectrophotometer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used for measurement of the phase identification. One-way ANOVA, Tukey HSD test were performed (α = 0.05). Results: There was no significant difference in flexural strength between the three layers ( P > 0.05), while there was significant difference in translucency between different layers ( P < 0.05). The flexural strength of incisal and transition layer was decreased by the single additional firing, and the three additional firings significantly decreased the flexural strength of three layers. The translucency of layer was decreased by additional firings except the body layer. The XRD patterns of all groups were similar. Conclusion: Three layers of 5Y-ZP were different only in translucency. Additional firings affected the flexural strength and translucency differently depending on the layers but crystalline phases were not changed. (J Dent Rehabil Appl Sci 2021;37(3):111-22)