Interfacial modulus mapping of layered dental ceramics using nanoindentation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to test the modulus of elasticity () across the interfaces of yttria stabilized zirconia (YTZP) / veneer multilayers using nanoindentation.

Materials And Methods: YTZP core material (KaVo-Everest, Germany) specimens were either coated with a liner (IPS e.max ZirLiner, Ivoclar-Vivadent) (Type-1) or left as-sintered (Type-2) and subsequently veneered with a pressable glass-ceramic (IPS e.max ZirPress, Ivoclar-Vivadent). A 5 µm (nominal tip diameter) spherical indenter was used with a UMIS CSIRO 2000 (ASI, Canberra, Australia) nanoindenter system to test across the exposed and polished interfaces of both specimen types. The multiple point load - partial unload method was used for determination. All materials used were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X - ray powder diffraction (XRD). mappings of the areas tested were produced from the nanoindentation data.

Results: A significantly (<.05) lower value between Type-1 and Type-2 specimens at a distance of 40 µm in the veneer material was associated with the liner. XRD and SEM characterization of the zirconia sample showed a fine grained bulk tetragonal phase. IPS e-max ZirPress and IPS e-max ZirLiner materials were characterized as amorphous.

Conclusion: The liner between the YTZP core and the heat pressed veneer may act as a weak link in this dental multilayer due to its significantly (<.05) lower . The present study has shown nanoindentation using spherical indentation and the multiple point load - partial unload method to be reliable predictors of and useful evaluation tools for layered dental ceramic interfaces.