Surface Roughness Assessment of the Sandblasted and Acid- Etched Zirconia Ceramic

Aims: To evaluate the effect of sandblasting with Al2O3 particle and 30% citric acid etching on the roughness of zirconia ceramic. Materials and Methods: Thirty disks were prepared from partial sintered zirconia (IPS e.max ZirCAD MT blank disk, Ivoclar Vivadent; Schaan, Liechtenstein). Specimens were assigned randomly into three groups based on surface treatment techniques (n=10). Group I zirconia surface was left without surface treatment (control). Group II specimens were subjected to sandblasting with 110 m Aluminum oxide particles (Al2O3) while the group III surface was treated with citric acid solution 30% for 10 minutes. The surface roughness of the zirconia was investigated using a profilometer. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Duncans tests at 5% level of significance. Results: Sandblasting with AL2O3 110m significantly increased the surface roughness value of the zirconia surface. Chemical treatment with 30% citric acid did not exhibit any significant changes in comparison to the control group. Conclusions: Sandblasting with AL2O3 increased zirconia surface roughness but acid etching has no effect.