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Zirconia and Innovative Biomaterials for Dental and Biomedical Applications

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2023) | Viewed by 23485

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Sangwon Park

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Guest Editor

Department of Prosthodontics, Dental Science Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
Interests: zirconia 3D printing; glass infiltration; implant surface interface; bone tissue engineering; digital dentistry

Prof. Dr. John G. Fisher

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Guest Editor

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
Interests: piezoelectric materials; single crystal growth; sintering and grain growth behaviour; zirconia dental materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the recent trends in zirconia and innovative biomaterials for dental and biomedical applications. The use of zirconia in the biomedical field was initiated in the early 1970s, and the application of zirconia as a prosthetic material in dental-related applications unlocked in the 1990s. Very recently, many scholars established the use of zirconia in the dental and biomedical field as an implant and as the scaffold. Thus, zirconia and zirconia-based materials have a wide range of applications in the biomedical and dentistry fields owing to their excellent mechanical properties, aesthetics, and biocompatibility. This issue critically explores the art and state of zirconia surface treatments (mechanical/chemical/physical), which are a significant challenge in implantology in designing implant biomaterial using advanced technologies which have evolved rapidly to enrich the biological and osteointegration process of dental implants. The surface characteristics are proposed to improve the capacity of anchorage into the bone that determines the long-term clinical success rate. Besides, digital technology (CAD/CAM and 3D printing) in dentistry plays a crucial role in the fabrication of dental restorations and prostheses because of its efficient manufacturing process with high accuracy in a short time. The perfectibility of technology and the suitability of materials are considered as the ultimate requisite for the future.

With an increase in the age-related pathologies and the associated illnesses worldwide, there is a necessity for the advancement of biomaterials to substitute the tissue loss and to boost regenerative mechanisms, as well as to ensure the healing process. Bioceramics, polymers, and metals are such materials that have been used to repair and restore the bone and dental defects, especially for the reconstruction/regeneration of hard tissues. To achieve three-dimensional tissue regeneration, the porous scaffold with multifunctional properties was fabricated using additive manufacturing and conventional techniques. In the area of hard tissue engineering, developing porous synthetic substitutes with faster and wider vascularization properties within their structure is recognized to be an auspicious venue for research.

The extensive range of this Special Issue “Zirconia and innovative biomaterials for dental and biomedical applications” offers an admirable opportunity to submit full papers, short communications, or review papers.

Prof. Dr. Sangwon Park
Prof. Dr. John G. Fisher
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Hard tissue engineering
Biomaterials (bioceramics, polymers, metals, etc.)
Zirconia and bioceramic scaffolds
Additive manufacturing
CAD/CAM technology
Zirconia implant
Implant surfaces and designs
Implant interface
Dental implant and prostheses
In vitro and in vivo studies

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

13 pages, 6086 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Particle Size and Surface Treatment of Zirconia Suspension for Photocuring Additive Manufacturing

by Mee-Jin Jun, Jin-Ho Kang, Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Seyed Aliakbar Hosseini Toopghara, Ye-Seul Kim, Kwi-Dug Yun and Sang-Won Park

Materials 2023, 16(4), 1670; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma16041670 - 16 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1437

Abstract

To prepare a photocurable ceramic suspension for use in commercialized additive manufacturing equipment, the effects of the rheological properties of zirconia particles added to a binder, and the presence or absence of a silane coupling agent on the particles was evaluated. To this end, three experimental groups (ZSs, ZMs, ZLs) and three control groups (ZS, ZM, ZL) were designed depending on the size of the underlying zirconia particles. The test-group zirconia suspensions were prepared through silanization, which was not applied to the control-group suspensions. Depending on the particle size, viscosity differences between the test and control groups were 16,842, 18,623, and 12,303 mPa·s, respectively. Compared to the other groups, the viscosity of the ZLs group suspension decreased by 70.98–88.04%. This confirmed that the viscosity of the suspensions was affected by the particle size and the presence of silane coating. The dispersion stability of the zirconia suspensions was evaluated over 20 days. A sedimentation test confirmed that the sedimentation rate of the ZLs group was slower than those of the other groups. This study aimed to optimize the suspension manufacturing method to effectively be utilized in further commercializing zirconia three-dimensional (3D) printing and could also help to develop various medical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zirconia and Innovative Biomaterials for Dental and Biomedical Applications)

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10 pages, 3489 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effects of UV Absorber on Zirconia Fabricated with Digital Light Processing Additive Manufacturing

by Jin-Ho Kang, Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Hyun-Ah Kim, Seyed Aliakbar Hosseini Toopghara, Mee-Jin Jun, Hyun-Pil Lim, Chan Park, Kwi-Dug Yun and Sang-Won Park

Materials 2022, 15(24), 8726; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15248726 - 07 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1434

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of UV absorbers on the dimensional accuracy of zirconia specimens fabricated by additive manufacturing using a digital light process. Zirconia suspension for additive manufacturing was prepared by setting the volume fractions (0, 0.005, 0.05, and 0.1%) of various UV absorbers. The effect of UV absorber content was evaluated through curing thickness, geometric overgrowth model design, linear deviation, and microstructure evaluation before and after sintering. Statistical analysis was performed by Kruskal–Wallis H and post-tested by the Bonferroni correction method. There was no significant difference in the cure depth according to the presence or absence of the UV absorber, the difference in geometric overgrowth was from 2.1 to 12.5%, and the overgrowth significantly decreased as the amount of added UV absorber increased. This result may contribute to improved precision of 3D multilayer ceramic products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zirconia and Innovative Biomaterials for Dental and Biomedical Applications)

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12 pages, 2467 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fracture Resistance of CAD/CAM Implant-Supported 3Y-TZP-Zirconia Cantilevers: An In Vitro Study

by Mariana Novais, António Sérgio Silva, Joana Mendes, Pedro Barreiros, Carlos Aroso and José Manuel Mendes

Materials 2022, 15(19), 6638; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15196638 - 24 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1206

Abstract

(1) Introduction: Implant-supported fixed complete dentures are mostly composed of cantilevers. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the fracture resistance of zirconia (Prettau^®, second generation, or Ice Zirkon Translucent, first generation) with cantilever lengths of 6 and 10 mm, and zirconia’s fracture resistance in relation to an average bite force of 250 N. (2) Materials and methods: Forty structures were created in CAD/CAM and divided into four groups: group A (6 mm cantilever in IZT), group B (10 mm cantilever in IZT), group C (6 mm cantilever in Pz), and group D (10 mm cantilever in pz). The study consisted of a traditional “load-to-failure” test. (3) Results: A statistically significant result was found for the effect of cantilever length, t(38) = 16.23 (p < 0.001), with this having a large effect size, d = 4.68. The 6 mm cantilever length (M = 442.30, sd = 47.49) was associated with a higher mean force at break than the 10 mm length (M = 215.18, sd = 40.74). No significant effect was found for the type of zirconia: t(38) = 0.31 (p = 0.757), and d = 0.10. (4) Conclusions: All the components with cantilever lengths of 6 mm broke under forces higher than 250 N. Cantilevers larger than 10 mm should be avoided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zirconia and Innovative Biomaterials for Dental and Biomedical Applications)

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17 pages, 6862 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Non-Thermal Plasma Treatment of Contaminated Zirconia Surface on Porphyromonas gingivalis Adhesion and Osteoblast Viability

by Seon-Ki Lee, Min-Kyung Ji, Yu-Jin Jo, Chan Park, Hoonsung Cho and Hyun-Pil Lim

Materials 2022, 15(15), 5348; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15155348 - 03 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1499

Abstract

Plasma treatment on a zirconia surface prevents bacterial contamination and maintains osteoblast activity. To assess the degree of adhesion of Porphyromonas gingivalis on a zirconia surface after non-thermal plasma (NTP) treatment, specimens were treated with plasma for 60, 300, and 600 s, after which P. gingivalis was inoculated onto the surface and incubated for 48 h. To assess osteoblast activity after NTP treatment, osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) were dispensed onto the specimens contaminated with P. gingivalis immediately after NTP for 60 and 120 s, followed by incubation for 48, 72, and 96 h. P. gingivalis was cultured after 60 s of NTP treatment of zirconia. The NTP and control groups showed no significant difference (p = 0.91), but adhesion was significantly increased following NTP treatment for 300 s or longer (300, 600 s groups) (p < 0.05). After NTP treatment of P. gingivalis-contaminated zirconia, osteoblast activity significantly increased at 72 and 96 h (I60 and I120 s group) in the groups treated with plasma (p < 0.017). Application of NTP to dental zirconia implants for 60 s not only inhibits the proliferation of P. gingivalis, which causes peri-implantitis but also increases osseointegration on zirconia surfaces contaminated with P. gingivalis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zirconia and Innovative Biomaterials for Dental and Biomedical Applications)

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12 pages, 4689 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Human Gingival Fibroblast Adhesion and Proliferation on Hydroxyapatite-Coated Zirconia Abutment Surfaces

by Oskar Bunz, Marie-Christine Steegmann, Korbinian Benz, Holger Testrich, Antje Quade, Ella A. Naumova, Wolfgang H. Arnold, Katja Fricke, Andree Piwowarczyk and Thomas Dittmar

Materials 2022, 15(10), 3625; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15103625 - 19 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1722

Abstract

Applying antibacterial coatings to dental implant materials seems reasonable but can have negative influences on desired cell adhesion and healing. In this study, zirconia abutment specimens interacting with gingival tissue were used. The aim was to compare the influence of machined or coated zirconia surfaces on the adhesion and proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1). Surface modifications were performed using atmospheric plasma coating with hydroxyapatite, zinc, and copper. Zirconia specimens were divided into four groups: hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite with zinc oxide (ZnO), hydroxyapatite with copper (Cu), and an untreated machined surface. After the characterization of the surface conditions, the morphology of adhered HGF-1 was determined by fluorescence staining and subjected to statistical evaluation. The visual analysis of cell morphology by SEM showed flat, polygonal, and largely adherent fibroblast cells in the untreated group, while round to partially flat cells were recorded in the groups with hydroxyapatite, hydroxyapatite + ZnO, and hydroxyapatite + Cu. The cell membranes in the hydroxyapatite + ZnO and hydroxyapatite + Cu groups appeared porous. The results show that HGF-1 adhere and proliferate well on machined zirconia, while plasma coating with hydroxyapatite or hydroxyapatite mixtures does not lead to increased adhesion or proliferation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zirconia and Innovative Biomaterials for Dental and Biomedical Applications)

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21 pages, 6698 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Surface Characteristics of High Translucent Multilayered Dental Zirconia Related to Aging

by Flavia Roxana Toma, Mihaela Ionela Bîrdeanu, Ion-Dragoș Uțu, Roxana Diana Vasiliu, Lavinia Cristina Moleriu and Liliana Porojan

Materials 2022, 15(10), 3606; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15103606 - 18 May 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1633

Abstract

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in terms of surface characteristics (roughness, topography, microhardness) among layers for multi-layered high translucent and super-high translucent zirconia and the influence of finishing and aging on surface characteristics and microstructure. (2) Methods: Three types of translucent multilayer zirconia were evaluated: STML (4Y-TZP); IPS e.maxZirCAD CEREC/in Lab MT Multi (4Y-TZP + 5Y-TZP); CeramillZolidfx ML (5Y-TZP). Ninety-six plate-shaped samples (32 for a material), 16 mm × 14 mm × 1 mm size, were cut with a precision disc, polished on both sides with sand papers and sintered respecting the manufacturer’s protocol. Half of the specimens (16) were finished by polishing and the other half by glazing and then equally divided into one control group and one group subject to aging by autoclaving (1 h, 134 °C, 0.2 MPa), resulting in four groups of eight samples, for each zirconia. The specimens were evaluated in three areas: cervical, medium, incisal-of each glazed or polished surface, before and after aging. Tests were performed to determine the surface roughness using a profilometer; the surface topography by an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Microhardness was recorded using a microhardness tester. Statistical analyses were performed using two-way ANOVA test, unpaired sample t-Test, paired sample t-Test (α = 0.05) and Pearson’s correlation. (3) Results: Before and after autoclaving, for glazed samples significance (p < 0.05) higher surface roughness, respectively lower microhardness in comparison with the polished group was assessed. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were reported between the three areas, on glazed or polished surfaces of a material. Although, after aging an increase in surface roughness was observed both on glazed and polished samples, statistical differences were found for STML (p < 0.05). No significant differences (p> 0.05) concerning microhardness among the same areas, on glazed and polished surfaces, recorded before and after aging, except CeramillZolidfx ML glazed samples. (4) Conclusions: For tested zirconia materials no significant differences among layers were registered regarding surface characteristics. Surface treatment (glazing or polishing) has a significant impact on surface roughness and microhardness. Both before and after aging, the surface roughness values for the glazed samples were higher than for those polished. The super translucent 4Y-TZP material was more affected by aging compared to the super-high translucent 5Y-TZP material. The combined material revealed similarities for each layer corresponding to the microstructure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zirconia and Innovative Biomaterials for Dental and Biomedical Applications)

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13 pages, 2450 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Physical Properties of Zirconia Suspension with Added Silane Coupling Agent for Additive Manufacturing Processes

by Jae-Gon Jang, Jin-Ho Kang, Kwang-Bum Joe, Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Kyoung-Jun Jang, Mee-Jin Jun, Gye-Jeong Oh, Chan Park and Sang-Won Park

Materials 2022, 15(4), 1337; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma15041337 - 11 Feb 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2179

Abstract

In this study, we have analysed the effects of a silane coupling agent on the volume fraction of zirconia for digital light processing (DLP)-based additive manufacturing processes. Zirconia suspension was prepared by the incorporation of silane-modified zirconia particles (experimental group) or untreated zirconia particles (control group). Furthermore, the control and experimental group were subdivided into three groups based on the volume fraction (52, 54, and 56 vol%) of zirconia particles. The disk-shaped zirconia samples were 3D (three-dimensional) printed using the DLP technique and their physical and mechanical properties were evaluated. The addition of a silane coupling agent to the zirconia samples was found to have influence of about 6% on the hardness and biaxial flexural strength. Moreover, the decrease in minute air gaps inside the zirconia layers significantly increased the material density (visualized from the microstructure analysis). Thus, from this study, it was established that the silane-modified zirconia particles had a positive effect on the physical properties of the zirconia parts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zirconia and Innovative Biomaterials for Dental and Biomedical Applications)

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12 pages, 4402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimized Zirconia 3D Printing Using Digital Light Processing with Continuous Film Supply and Recyclable Slurry System

by Waqas Ahmed Sarwar, Jin-Ho Kang and Hyung-In Yoon

Materials 2021, 14(13), 3446; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14133446 - 22 Jun 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3365

Abstract

Stereolithography (SL) can fabricate complex ceramic parts layer by layer using computer-aided design (CAD) models. The traditional SL system utilizes a vat filled with ceramic slurry with a high solid content, which for ceramics contributes to several limitations and operational difficulties, and further renders it nonrecyclable mainly due to the presence of printed residue and its high viscosity. In this study, we utilized a continuous film supply (CFS) system integrated with a tape-casting type digital light processing (DLP) printer to fabricate zirconia prototypes with a solid content of 45 volume percent (vol.%). Various printing and postprocessing parameters were studied for optimization, to achieve a relative density of 99.02% ± 0.08% with a microhardness of 12.59 ± 0.47 GPa. Slurry reusability was also demonstrated by printing with recycled slurry to produce consistent relative density values in the range of 98.86% ± 0.02% to 98.94% ± 0.03%. This method provides new opportunities for material recycling and the fabrication of dense complex ceramic products, reducing the consumption of the material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zirconia and Innovative Biomaterials for Dental and Biomedical Applications)

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Review

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34 pages, 9743 KiB

Open AccessReview

Three-Dimensional Zirconia-Based Scaffolds for Load-Bearing Bone-Regeneration Applications: Prospects and Challenges

by Kumaresan Sakthiabirami, Vaiyapuri Soundharrajan, Jin-Ho Kang, Yunzhi Peter Yang and Sang-Won Park

Materials 2021, 14(12), 3207; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14123207 - 10 Jun 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4373

Abstract

The design of zirconia-based scaffolds using conventional techniques for bone-regeneration applications has been studied extensively. Similar to dental applications, the use of three-dimensional (3D) zirconia-based ceramics for bone tissue engineering (BTE) has recently attracted considerable attention because of their high mechanical strength and biocompatibility. However, techniques to fabricate zirconia-based scaffolds for bone regeneration are in a stage of infancy. Hence, the biological activities of zirconia-based ceramics for bone-regeneration applications have not been fully investigated, in contrast to the well-established calcium phosphate-based ceramics for bone-regeneration applications. This paper outlines recent research developments and challenges concerning numerous three-dimensional (3D) zirconia-based scaffolds and reviews the associated fundamental fabrication techniques, key 3D fabrication developments and practical encounters to identify the optimal 3D fabrication technique for obtaining 3D zirconia-based scaffolds suitable for real-world applications. This review mainly summarized the articles that focused on in vitro and in vivo studies along with the fundamental mechanical characterizations on the 3D zirconia-based scaffolds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zirconia and Innovative Biomaterials for Dental and Biomedical Applications)

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19 pages, 1602 KiB

Open AccessReview

Scientific Trends in Clinical Research on Zirconia Dental Implants: A Bibliometric Review

by Felice Lorusso, Sammy Noumbissi, Inchingolo Francesco, Biagio Rapone, Ahmad G. A. Khater and Antonio Scarano

Materials 2020, 13(23), 5534; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13235534 - 04 Dec 2020

Cited by 68 | Viewed by 3070

Abstract

Background: The clinical use of zirconia implants has been shown to increase steadily due to their biological, aesthetic, and physical properties; therefore, this bibliometric study aimed to review the clinical research and co-authors in the field of zirconia dental implant rehabilitation. Methods: We searched Scopus and Web of Science databases using a comprehensive search strategy to 5 October 2020, and independently paired reviewers who screened studies, and collected data with inclusion criteria restricted to clinical research only (either prospective or retrospective). Data on article title, co-authors, number of citations received, journal details, publication year, country and institution involved, funding, study design, marginal bone loss, survival rate, failure, follow-up, and the author’s bibliometric data were collected and evaluated. Results: A total of 29 clinical studies were published between 2008 and 2020 as 41.4% were prospective cohort studies and 48.3% originated from Germany. Most of the included studies had been published in Clinical Oral Implant Research (n = 12), and the most productive institution was the Medical Center of University of Freiburg. The author with the largest number of clinical studies on zirconia implants was Kohal R.J. (n = 10), followed by Spies B.C. (n = 8). Conclusions: This study revealed that zirconia implants have been more prominent in the last ten years, which is a valuable option for oral rehabilitation with marginal bone loss and survival rate comparable to titanium dental implants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zirconia and Innovative Biomaterials for Dental and Biomedical Applications)

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