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 µm 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 Duncan’s tests at 5% level of significance. Results: Sandblasting with AL2O3 110µm 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.