Comparison of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on zirconia fabricated by two different approaches: an in vitro and in vivo study

ABSTRACT

Prepared by dry and wet approaches, respectively, the surface properties and bacterial adhesion of conventional zirconia (CZ) and self-glazed zirconia (SGZ) were investigated. Each zirconia was divided into unpolished and polished groups. Our results revealed that SGZ showed significantly lower surface roughness than CZ (P < 0.05) and lower surface-free energy (P < 0.05) in both polished and unpolished groups. The number of bacteria attached to SGZ was less than CZ in vitro (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between two kinds of zirconia in vivo (P > 0.05). Our findings suggest that SGZ, due to its excellent surface characteristics, is superior to CZ in bacterial adhesion and zirconia polishing serves as an indispensable procedure in clinics.

KEYWORDS:

• Self-glazed zirconia
• dental restorations
• surface properties
• bacterial adhesion
• zirconia

Acknowledgements

Erran Technology Ltd, Hangzhou, China, was acknowledged for preparing the specimens used in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Guangzhou Science and Technology Program key projects [grant no. 201804010407], Guangzhou Science Technology and Innovation Commission [grant no. 201707010026].