Surface structure and mechanical properties of impaction-modified Y-TZP

Objectives. The objectives of the study were to describe the surface structure and the chemical surface composition of Y-TZP ceramics produced by using the modified additive technique and to evaluate the flexural strength of Y-TZP with or without surface modification and with different pretreatments: etching before or after sintering combined with or without an adhesive cement system. Methods. Y-TZP discs were used for surface analysis (n=48) and for biaxial flexural strength testing (n= 200). The specimens were divided into groups depending on the cementation surface of Y-TZP: unmodified, sandblasted or glass-modified Y-TZP surfaces, and according to the production process: etching before or after sintering. Results. The surface structure and the chemical composition of glass-modified Y-TZP differ; a rougher surface and phase transformation was identified compared to unmodified Y-TZP. The unmodified Y-TZP groups showed significantly higher flexural strength compared to the glass-modified groups (p <0.001) and showed increased flexural strength after sandblasting (p <0.001). Furthermore, by adding cement to the surface, the value increased even further in comparison with the sandblasted non-cemented specimens (p