Evaluation of the Surface Properties of Three CAD/CAM Ceramics: A Comparative In Vitro Study

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the surface properties, roughness, skewness, and wettability of three CAD/CAM-processed ceramic materials: zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (Celtra Duo), feldspathic ceramic (CEREC Blocs), and lithium disilicate (CEREC Tessera). Materials and Methods: Thirty specimens (10 per group) were fabricated (10 × 10 × 2 mm) using the CEREC Omnicam AC system with the MC XL milling unit and SpeedFire furnace. Surface characterization included computed tomography (CT) for dimensional accuracy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) for microstructure and composition, profilometry for roughness parameters (Ra, Rq, Rsk), and contact angle measurements with water, ethylene glycol, and diiodomethane for wettability. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA (p < 0.05). Results: No dimensional or compositional changes occurred after processing. Mean Ra values were 2.8647 µm for lithium disilicate, 1.9715 µm for zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate, and 1.9148 µm for feldspathic ceramic. All materials exhibited negative skewness, with zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate showing the smoothest morphology. Contact angle results indicated greater hydrophilicity for lithium disilicate (31.41°), followed by feldspathic ceramic (38.31°) and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (42.48°). Conclusions: Zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate demonstrated a favorable combination of surface topography, roughness, and wettability, suggesting superior long-term clinical performance.