Evaluation of the Flexural Strength and Translucency of Zirconia With Different Microstructures.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the translucency and flexural strength (FS) of three zirconia ceramics with different microstructural characteristics and to examine the relationship between these properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Zirconia specimens were prepared from IPS e.max ZirCAD Prime A2 (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein), Vita YZ HT (Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany), and IPS e.max ZirCAD MT Multi A2 (Ivoclar Vivadent) blocks. A total of 30 specimens were fabricated using CAD/CAM technology with a 20% sintering shrinkage adjustment. Translucency was measured using a spectrophotometer based on the CIE L*a*b* system (Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage, Vienna, Austria), and the translucency parameter (TP) was calculated using the CIEDE2000 formula. FS was determined using a three-point bending test according to ISO 6872 standards. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman correlation tests (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Although IPS e.max ZirCAD MT exhibited the highest translucency (p > 0.05). and Vita YZ HT showed the highest FS (p<0.05). No significant correlation was found between translucency and FS in any group. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, zirconia ceramics with different microstructures showed no statistically significant differences in translucency but statistically significant differences in FS.