Advances in Applied Ceramics, vol.113, no.5, pp.301-306, 2014 (SCI-Expanded)
The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of various surface treatments on the surface roughness of a lithium disilicate glass ceramic. A total of 25 discs of lithium disilicate glass ceramic were prepared. Specimens were divided into five groups: (1) no treatment, (2) air abrasion, (3) acid etching, (4) Nd:YAG laser irradiation and (5) Er:YAG laser irradiation. Digital images from the surfaces were obtained by means of an atomic force microscope in tapping mode. Surface roughness was measured in 10 × 10 μm boxes. Surface roughness data were analysed by one way analysis of variance. The air abrasion group (550±212 nm) had a significantly higher mean surface roughness value than the other groups. The acid etching group (392±157 nm) had a significantly higher mean roughness value than the control group (228±105 nm). Surface roughness of lithium disilicate glass ceramic was not increased by any of the laser irradiation treatments. © 2014 Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.