Introduction
In recent decades, we have witnessed the intensive development of dental ceramic materials, especially in meeting the high aesthetic requirements of modern dentistry. In particular, zirconia stands out as a biomaterial of great interest.
Due to good mechanical properties (high hardness, strength, high wear resistance, corrosion resistance, modulus of elasticity similar to steel and increased fracture toughness) and aesthetic properties [
1] this restorative material is widely used in prosthetic dentistry [
2,
3,
4].
As dental ceramics develops, so do the methods of its technical production. Significant progress was made with the introduction of the CAD/CAM system, which describes the virtual design and the production of dental restorations using machine units [
5].
In order to improve the mechanical properties tetragonal zirconium polycrystals (TZP) are strengthened by the use of certain elements such as yttrium (zirconium stabilized by yttrium ie YTZP). This form of material can be applied to high-strength single crown frames, bridges and implants using CAD/CAM techniques [
6].
Zirconia partially stabilized by yttrium (YTZP) contains a highly crystalline phase and low translucency, which confers opacity [
7]. To exclude the white opaque color of zirconia, transparent porcelain can be used to veneer the restorations. On the other hand, chipping of veneering porcelain has been reported as a major problem [
8]. To overcome this clinical limitation, monolithic zirconia, in an anatomical form without veneers, is used.
Monolithic zirconia has adequate translucency and excellent mechanical properties, without failures due to chipping of the veneering ceramic [
9]. Restorations made of this type of zirconia require decreasing clinical time and restoration costs.
Dental plaque causes an inflammatory reaction, which is associated with periodontal and peri-implant disease, with possible progressive bone loss around the tooth, but also around the implant. Early bacterial colonization is a condition and initial step in biofilm formation, leading to infection [
10]. Studys reported high prevalence
C. albicans and
S. aureus rates for in saliva samples from elderly adults and hospitalized patients [
11].
The clinical investigations showed that presence of
C. albicans in peri-implantitis gingival zone was revealed [
12].
C. albicans is associated with diseases such as peri-implantitis and periodontitis. This opportunistic pathogen is usually the cause of denture-associated stomatitis.
The oral streptococci are members of the indigenous microbiota mainly in the supragingival environment.
S. sanguinis is commonly found in healthy periodontal individuals abesides it can contribute to the coaggregation of pathogenic bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis [
13].
Bacterial adhesion to a substrate and initial biofilm formation is related to surface properties: roughness, hydrophobicity and interaction between existing microorganisms [
14]. Streptococcus is one of the first colonizers of initial supragingival biofilm. Also, this microorganism is present in greater quantity in the first hours of oral biofilm formation. Microoganisms present in the oral cavity naturally tend to adhere to dental materials. Certain parts of the restorations are particularly susceptible to plaque accumulation because there is poor mechanical cleaning. These are the following surfaces: interface between tooth and restoration [
15], the cervical third of the proximal surface, and along the gingival margin. This is a particularly sensitive topic, bearing in mind that zirconia is also used to make implant supported prosthetic restorations, where the implant, gingiva and zirconia are in contact [
16].
In order to maintain patients’ oral hygiene, dentists use various manual (curettes) and machine instruments (ultrasonic scaling, brushes and pastes). The question arises whether these routine and recommended oral hygiene maintenance procedures damage the surface of zirconia restorations and increase surface roughness, thereby creating better conditions for the adhesion of microorganisms and thus the biofilm formation of [
17,
18,
19].
The restoration surface roughness is extremely important because of the increased accumulation of plaque which affects the optical properties of the restoration and the wear of the opposing dentition [
20].
On solid surfaces, the ability of microorganisms to aggregate and the environment are important factors in the formation of oral biofilm. It is certain that the finishing technique on ceramics significantly affects the surface properties of these materials and the formation of oral biofilm.
Accordingly, the aim of this study is to determine whether routine dental procedures, such as brushing and ultrasonic scaling, affect the surface microtopography and biofilm adhesion of veenired and CAD/CAM milled zirconia prosthetic restorations. Each group of zirconia samples had 2 subgroups: polished and glazed.
The surface microtopography and in vitro biofilm formation on zirconia samples surfaces will be analyzed before and after the oral hygiene maintenance treatmen.
The null hypothesis of this study was that different methods of professional oral hygiene (brushing and ultrasonic scaling) would not affect surface microtopography and biofilm adhesion on the tested zirconia samples.
Results
SEM imaging
Figure 2 and
Figure 3 show the morphological appearance of the zirconia samples surface before and after routine methods for professional maintenance of oral hygiene.
Veneered and polished zirconia samples (
F1) had a slightly irregular surface, with microcracks and visible particles on the surface. Barely visible horizontal lines may indicate the direction of polishing. However, veneered and polished zirconia after ultrasonic scaling (
F1a) showed an uneven surface with pores and grooves of various sizes, cavities and chipping-type defects. On the venneered zirconia samples, treated with brushing (
F1b), small surface defects and groovelike formations were evident. On the contrary, venneered zirconia glazed samples (
F2), showed a relatively regular surface texture with whitish particles, without voids. The veneered and glazed samples, treated with ultrasonic scaling (
F2a) showed the most surface irregularities in the form of large defects. The layered breaking of the material was evident. On the side of the defects, remained a porous surface. On the surface of veneered and glazed samples after brushing (
F2b), there were visible protrusions and traces of the brushing. The entire surface was undulating with round-topped particules (
Figure 2).
F1—zirconia veneered and polished samples; F1a—zirconia veneered and polished samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; F1b—zirconia veneered, polished and brushed samples; F2—zirconia veneered and glazed samples; F2a—zirconia veneered and glazed samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; F2b—zirconia veneered, glazed and brushed samples.
SEM examination of the CAD/CAM milled and polished zirconia samples (C2) revealed an eroded surface that was created by the sample making manufacturing technique. These changes are in the form of two types of traces, one coarser and the other finer. CAD/CAM milled and polished zirconia samples treated with ultrasonic scaling (C2a), showed a rough surface in the form of parallel scratches. Visible irregularities were those created by the effect of ultrasonic scaling- rougher and others created by the effect of milling–mild. As for the CAD/CAM milled and polished zirconia samples after brushing (C2b), there were slight traces, which were probably the result of the action of the brush. In the case of CAD/CAM milled and glazed zirconia samples (C1), a slightly smoother surface layer with pale dimples and poured glaze drops can be described. On the surface of CAD/CAM milled and glazed zirconia after ultrasonic scaling (C1a), extreme irregularities in the form of scratches and defects are visible. In the case of CAD/CAM milled and glazed zirconia after brushing (C1b), a porous surface with black and white holes was observed. The black holes have an uneven bottom and are not covered with glaze, only their edges are glazed. Probably the tip of the bristles of the brush broke off parts of the glaze.
C2—zirconia milled and polished samples; C2a—zirconia milled and polished samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; C2b—zirconia milled, polished and brushed samples; C1—zirconia milled and glazed samples; C1a—zirconia milled and glazed samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; C1b—zirconia milled, glazed and brushed samples.
Biofilm formation on different zirconia samples
This study determined potential of
S. aureus,
S. sanguinis and
C. albicans to form biofilm on different zirconia samples. The results of microbial biofilm formed on the control and test samples were presented in
Figure 4,
Figure 5 and
Figure 6. In case of
S. aureus biofilm, zirconia veneered and polished samples (F1, control) were the ones with the lowest obtained CFUs. Compared
S. aureus biofilm formation between zirconia veneered and zirconia milled samples, showed that CFUs of
S. aureus were higher on the veneered samples (
Figure 4). Among veneered samples, on the glazed ones treated with brush and abrasive paste (F2b), the lowest number of
S. aureus colonies was detected. While, among zirconia milled samples, the glazed ones treated with ultrasonic scaling (C1a) had the lowest CFUs.
F1—zirconia veneered and polished samples; F1a—zirconia veneered, polished samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; F1b—zirconia veneered, polished and brushed samples; F2—zirconia veneered and glazed samples; F2a—zirconia veneered and glazed samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; F2b—zirconia veneered, glazed and brushed samples; C2—zirconia milled and polished samples; C2a—zirconia milled and polished samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; C2b—zirconia milled, polished and brushed samples; C1—zirconia milled and glazed samples; C1a—zirconia milled and glazed samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; C1b—zirconia milled, glazed and brushed samples.
In the most of veneered zirconia samples
S. sanguinis was detected in the lowest number (
Figure 5). The exception among the veneered zirconia samples were polished samples, treated with ultrasonic scaling (F1a) and glazed and brushed samples (F2b). While, among zirconia milled samples the polished ones and treated with brush (C2b) had the lowest CFUs.
F1—zirconia veneered and polished samples; F1a—zirconia veneered and polished samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; F1b—zirconia veneered, polished and brushed samples; F2—zirconia veneered and glazed samples; F2a—zirconia veneered and glazed samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; F2b—zirconia veneered, glazed and brushed samples; C2—zirconia milled and polished samples; C2a—zirconia milled and polished samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; C2b—zirconia milled, polished and brushed samples; C1—zirconia milled and glazed samples; C1a—zirconia milled and glazed samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; C1b—zirconia milled, glazed and brushed samples.
Regarding
C. albicans biofilm, veneered samples showed the higher CFUs then milled ones (
Figure 6). Among veneered zirconia samples, the lowest number of
C. albicans colonies were detected on the polished zirconia samples treated with ultrasonic scaling (F1a). While, among zirconia milled samples the polished ones treated with ultrasonic scaling (C2a) had the lowest CFUs.
F1—zirconia veneered and polished samples; F1a—zirconia veneered and polished samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; F1b—zirconia veneered, polished and brushed samples; F2—zirconia veneered and glazed samples; F2a—zirconia veneered and glazed samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; F2b—zirconia veneered, glazed and brushed samples; C2—zirconia milled and polished samples; C2a—zirconia milled and polished samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; C2b—zirconia milled, polished and brushed samples; C1—zirconia milled and glazed samples; C1a—zirconia milled and glazed samples treated with ultrasonic scaling; C1b—zirconia milled, glazed and brushed samples.
Overall, the amount of formed biofilm depends on the type of samples, surface properties and different sample treatment (ultrasonic scaling/brushing). Also, based on the data obtained by counting colonies, it can be concluded that the density of biofilm on different samples also depends on the biofilm-forming species of bacteria/fungi.
Discussion
This in vitro study investigated the effects of professional oral hygiene treatments on surface microtopography and microbial biofilm adhesion on zirconia obtained by different techniques (CAD/CAM milled and veenered). Both forms of zirconia had a surface treated differently: glazed and polished.
Based on the results of this study, the null hypothesis was rejected because the microtopography of the samples surface and biofilm formation were different, depending on the oral hygiene maintenance treatment.
In this research, ultrasonic scaling and brushing were performed to simulate professional plaque control. These methods are part of supportive therapy after prosthetic treatment. There is a recommendation that they, including control of oral hygiene, be carried out at least once every 6 months after prosthetic and periodontal treatment [
24]. According to previously reported data [
21], the time required for the treatment of one tooth with an ultrasonic scaling scaler during periodontal therapy is ranged from 0.35 to 3.90 min. Based on these findings, ultrasonic scaling was performed for 1 min and repeated 10 times, imitating the procedure carried out over 5 years.
The microtopography properties of the tested zirconia samples were qualitatively evaluated by SEM. Observation with a SEM microscope was performed at a 150x magnification. This magnification allowed us to see comprehensive changes on the surface of the tested samples. Other researches performed the analysis at a higher magnification [
25,
26,
27]. In this case, higher magnification, wouldn’t show the changes on the surface caused by applied ultrasonic scaling and brushing techniques, described in this experiment, on such an obvious and striking way.
In this study, the biggest damage to the surface was caused by the ultrasonic scaling treatment, especially on the glazed surface of zirconia samples, which can be explained by the glassy structure of the glaze, which is literally broken by gentle vibration using ultrasound.
Some studies reported a significant increase in surface roughness after scaling [
24,
28], while others did not [
27]. This discrepancy could be attributed to the unequal duration of scaling in previous studies and to the differently treated surface and type of ceramics.
Disruption of the surface topography by brushing has been reported in other studies [
26,
29,
30], but in this study it is particularly pronounced in glazed zirconia samples. Damage caused by brushing was less but not insignificant, especially when we know that the microtopography of the surface of ceramic restorations is related to the formation of biofilm [
31,
32].
Biofilm has several stages in its formation. It represents dense micro-communities, which have the ability to adapt to changes in the environment by changing their gene expression patterns. The formation and composition of the biofilm is influenced by the method of adhesion to the surface. Each microorganism has its own unique method (binding using flagella, saws, proteins or polysaccharides). The initial phase of attachment of microorganisms is the key phase for the formation of a biofilm, and this process can further go in two directions: the microorganisms can continue to stick to the surface and to each other, or they can return to their free form (planktonic). It can be said that microorganisms have created a unique way to survive by forming a biofilm [
33].
It has been proven that biofilm is formed on all surfaces in the oral cavity, both natural tissues and artificial materials. It is the microorganisms from the biofilm with their products that affect the inflammatory processes in the mouth and the durability of dental restorations. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a significant difference in the formation of biofilm on different materials and tooth enamel, and this is related to the roughness of the surface of the examined materials [
34].
Biofilm adhesion is influenced by several factors. Most often these are the surface characteristics of the material, such as: surface microtopography and roughness, surface free energy, chemical characteristics [
35].
Bacterial adhesion on the surface of 3Y-TZP subjected to ultrasonic scaling and brushing was evaluated using
S. aureus,
S. sanguinis and
C. albicans, which are known as initial colonizers among the microorganisms who compose dental plaque [
36]. Therefore, these three representative microorganisms were chosen in this study.
Results of studies showed that glazed surfaces of monolithic zirconia samples have a greater roughness and tend to accumulate more biofilm [
37].
S. aureus showed the highest adhesion on veneered and polished zirconia samples after ultraconic scaling. While S. sanguis mostly adhered to zirconia surfaces after ultrasonic scaling. It is obvious that the defects created after the action of ultrasonic scaling favor the retention of microorganisms.
When microorganisms were compared to each other, a greater growth of
Streptococcus was observed independent of the surface type. Also, a greater formation of colonies on glazed surfaces were observed in comparison to polished surfaces, corroborating a previous study [
37].
C. albicans adhered more to the vennered zirconia samples, but there was no difference in fungal adhesion between the groups of polished and glazed samples, which is confirmed by the results [
38] and [
25].
Surface texture and microtopography play an important role in microbial adhesion. Certain studies have shown that many micrometer- and nanometer-scale topographic patterns (created by processing techniques or otherwise) of various shapes and sizes inhibit biofilm formation compared to flat surfaces of the same material [
39]. In this study, however, the highest bacterial adhesion is on the surface of the zirconia samples with the most drastic defects after ultrasonic scaling, which can be explained by the depth and rough edges of the defects that retain microorganisms.
One of the most important factors in the formation of oral biofilm is surface roughness, which is correlated with bacterial adhesion. Surface finishing protocols like grinding directions, pressure, water coolants, in one hand and treatment during routine maintenance of oral hygiene, in the other hand, can affect the roughness of the surface of zirconia prosthetic restorations [
40].
In the treatment of periodontal disease, patients are offered modern surgical procedures, after which it is recommended to make prosthetic ceramic restorations in order to maintain the achieved therapeutic results. Furthermore, patients are scheduled for regular hygiene procedures that include the use of ultrasound, brushes and abrasive paste. This experiment has shown that these routine hygiene procedures should be carried out very carefully, as they can damage the surface of the prosthetic restoration.
The strength of this study is that CAD/CAM ceramics with different surfaces were compared after simulated clinical ultrasonic scaling and brushing procedures. Moreover, the corresponding SEM measurements provided us with extensive data on the surface properties of the zirconia samples.
Finally, it should be pointed out that the results of this in vitro study are based on data on viable counts (microbial growth), which may show inhomogeneous results, probably due to the general problem of achieving reproducibility in microbial tests and reliably determining the true value of viable cells. Estimation of cell count by CFU, as used in this experiment, usually underestimates the number of viable cells present in the sample, as clumps of microbial cells can be miscounted as single colonies. This can be problematic for statistical analysis. It should also be noted that in this experiment, not all conditions prevailing in the oral cavity were simulated, such as: the influence of saliva, rinsing effects or changes in pH. Therefore, it would be necessary to prove the results under in vivo conditions as well.