Effect of Three Commonly Consumed Beverages on Surface Roughness of Polished and Glazed Zirconia-Reinforced Lithium Silicate Glass Ceramics

This study aimed to assess the effect of three commonly consumed beverages on surface roughness of polished and glazed zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) glass ceramics.

In this experimental study, 104 rectangular specimens were cut from Vita Suprinity blocks with 2 mm thickness. After ultrasonic cleaning and firing of the specimens, they were finished and polished in two groups. Specimens in the first group were polished using a 2-step polishing kit while the second group specimens were glazed and heated in a porcelain firing oven according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Baseline surface roughness was measured using a profilometer. Specimens in each group were then randomly divided into 4 subgroups (n=13) for immersion in artificial saliva (control group), cola, orange juice and black tea. Surface roughness was measured again and data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA.

The highest and the lowest mean Ra were found in orange juice and saliva subgroups, respectively in both glazed and polished groups. The Ra values of both polished and glazed groups significantly increased after immersion in orange juice and cola (P<0.05). The polished surfaces showed insignificantly higher surface roughness compared with glazed surfaces (P>0.05).

Orange juice and cola significantly increased the surface roughness of both polished and glazed ZLS ceramics. Type of surface finishing (polishing versus glazing) had no significant effect on the surface roughness of specimens following immersion in different beverages.