In Vitro Evaluation of Speed Sintering and Glazing Effects on the Flexural Strength and Microstructure of Highly Translucent Multilayered 5 mol% Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of speed sintering and glazing on the flexural strength and microstructure of multilayered 5 mol% yttria-stabilized (5Y-) zirconia, which remains unknown. Bar-shaped specimens (N = 600) were fabricated from 5Y-zirconia (FX; Ceramill Zolid FX ML, ST; Katana STML) by cutting, polishing, sintering (conventional and speed sintering), and then glazing. A flexural strength test (n = 30/group), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) observation (n = 2/group), and an X-ray diffraction (XRD) study with Rietveld refinement (n = 1/group) were performed. The flexural strength was analyzed using three-way ANOVA and a post hoc Scheffé test. The grain size was analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis H test and Bonferroni–Dunn post hoc test. Flexural strength slightly decreased in the nonglazed FX after speed sintering (p < 0.05). Glazing with and without glazing paste did not affect flexural strength at both sintering speeds (p > 0.05). Speed sintering and glazing minimally changed the Weibull modulus and phase fraction, and did not affect grain size (p > 0.05). ST had a larger grain size and lower tetragonal phase content than FX and had a lower flexural strength than FX in most groups (p < 0.05). Overall, the multilayered 5Y-zirconia is considered suitable for dental application using speed sintering and glazing.