Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effects of material and surface condition (glazed vs. polished after simulated occlusal adjustment) on translucency parameter, contact angle, and flexural strength of four monolithic zirconia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Disk-shaped specimens (n = 80, Ø12 × 1 mm) were fabricated from four monolithic zirconia materials: Prettau 4 Anterior (PA), Lava Plus (LP), Cercon hT (hT), and Cercon xT (xT). All specimens were glazed; half underwent simulated occlusal adjustment followed by polishing. Translucency was measured with a spectrophotometer, contact angle with a goniometer, and flexural strength using a piston-on-three-balls test. Data were analyzed via ANOVA. RESULTS: Translucency parameter values ranged from 3.9ᶜ (PA-Polished) to 6.9ᵃ (xT-Glazed), while contact angle (°) values ranged from 13.4ᵈ (hT-Glazed) to 43.7ᵃ (xT-Polished). Flexural strength (MPa) in the glazed condition was 410.4ᵇᶜ (PA), 577.5ᵇ (LP), 576.5ᵇ (hT), and 384.5ᵇᶜ (xT); under polishing, values were 333.1ᶜ (PA), 228.8ᶜ (LP), 856.0ᵃ (hT), and 287.1ᶜ (xT). CONCLUSIONS: The xT group exhibited a higher translucency parameter compared to the LP and PA groups. Polishing increased the contact angle for all materials. Polishing subsequent to occlusal adjustment simulation preserved the flexural strength of two zirconia ceramics (PA and xT), resulted in a reduction in one (LP), and led to an increase in another (hT).