Objectives: Recently introduced FIB/SEM analysis in microscopy seems to provide a more detailed characterization of the samples by 3D (FIB) cross-sectioning and (SEM) high resolution imaging. Even if some studies are already available in the literature, further FIB/SEM based studies are still required for improving the understanding of the actual clinical failure modes. The aim of this study was to apply the FIB/SEM analysis to the interfaces of a metal-ceramic Vs. two zirconia-ceramic systems. Materials and Methods: Plate samples (4x4x3 mm) of the three different prosthetic systems1-3 were prepared in the dental lab following the manufacturer instructions, where metal-ceramic was the result of a ceramic veneering (porcelain-fused-to-metal) and the two zirconia-ceramic systems were produced by the dedicated CAD-CAM procedures of the zirconia cores (both with final sintering) and then veneered by layered or heat pressed ceramics. In a FEI Helios NanoLab™ 600 (FEI Company™, Eindhoven, Netherlands), a thin layer of platinum (1 µm) was deposited on samples surface crossing the interfaces, in order to protect them during milling. Then, increasingly deeper trenches were milled by the focused ion beam, first using a relatively higher and later using a lower ion current (from 9nA to 0,9 nA). Finally, FEG-SEM (5KV) micrographs (1000-50000X) were acquired. Results: Despite the presence of many voids in all the ceramic layers, it was possible to identify: (1) the grain structures of the metallic and zirconia substrates, (2) the thin oxide layer at the metal-ceramic interface and its interactions with the first ceramic layer (wash technique), (3) the roughness of the two different zirconia cores and their interactions with the ceramic interface, where the presence of zirconia grains in the ceramic layer was reported in one system possibly due to sandblasting before ceramic firing. Conclusions: by the limits of this in vitro study, FIB/SEM analysis of metal- and zirconia-ceramic systems seems to be useful in the morphological characterization of the interfaces improving the knowledge about the interpretation of failures.

FIB/SEM analysis of metal- and zirconia- ceramic interfaces

MERLATI, GIUSEPPE;MENGHINI, PAOLO;
2010-01-01

Abstract

Objectives: Recently introduced FIB/SEM analysis in microscopy seems to provide a more detailed characterization of the samples by 3D (FIB) cross-sectioning and (SEM) high resolution imaging. Even if some studies are already available in the literature, further FIB/SEM based studies are still required for improving the understanding of the actual clinical failure modes. The aim of this study was to apply the FIB/SEM analysis to the interfaces of a metal-ceramic Vs. two zirconia-ceramic systems. Materials and Methods: Plate samples (4x4x3 mm) of the three different prosthetic systems1-3 were prepared in the dental lab following the manufacturer instructions, where metal-ceramic was the result of a ceramic veneering (porcelain-fused-to-metal) and the two zirconia-ceramic systems were produced by the dedicated CAD-CAM procedures of the zirconia cores (both with final sintering) and then veneered by layered or heat pressed ceramics. In a FEI Helios NanoLab™ 600 (FEI Company™, Eindhoven, Netherlands), a thin layer of platinum (1 µm) was deposited on samples surface crossing the interfaces, in order to protect them during milling. Then, increasingly deeper trenches were milled by the focused ion beam, first using a relatively higher and later using a lower ion current (from 9nA to 0,9 nA). Finally, FEG-SEM (5KV) micrographs (1000-50000X) were acquired. Results: Despite the presence of many voids in all the ceramic layers, it was possible to identify: (1) the grain structures of the metallic and zirconia substrates, (2) the thin oxide layer at the metal-ceramic interface and its interactions with the first ceramic layer (wash technique), (3) the roughness of the two different zirconia cores and their interactions with the ceramic interface, where the presence of zirconia grains in the ceramic layer was reported in one system possibly due to sandblasting before ceramic firing. Conclusions: by the limits of this in vitro study, FIB/SEM analysis of metal- and zirconia-ceramic systems seems to be useful in the morphological characterization of the interfaces improving the knowledge about the interpretation of failures.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11571/247297
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