Microstructural characterization and comparative evaluation of physical, mechanical and biological properties of three ceramics for metal–ceramic restorations

Objectives A wide variety of dental ceramics compositions have been introduced in dental clinical practice in order to combine desired aesthetics with superior mechanical performance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the microstructural changes in three dental ceramics after their sintering according to manufacturers’ instructions and to comparatively evaluate some of their physical, mechanical and biological properties. Methods The analysis of the phases present in each material before and after sintering was performed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The thermal properties of ceramic specimens were evaluated with differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTA). The mechanical properties evaluated were fracture toughness, Youngʹs modulus and microhardness with the Vickers indentation method. MTT assay was used for cell proliferation assessment. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni multiple comparisons tests was used to determine statistically significant differences (significance level of p < 0.05). Results Results showed a remarkable variation among the three ceramic compositions of leucite content in the starting unheated ceramic powders ranging between 14 and 32 wt.% and in the respective sintered powders ranging between 15 and 41 wt.% The low fusing glass–ceramic and the high fusing leucite-based ceramic presented significantly higher fracture toughness (p < 0.001) and microhardness and lower modulus of elasticity (p < 0.05) compared to the low fusing feldspathic ceramic. The three ceramics were almost equivalent concerning their in vitro biological behavior. Significance Variations in crystal structure, distribution and composition are related to differences concerning mechanical properties of dental ceramics.