Ryu HS, et al. J Adv Prosthodont. 2014 Dec;6(6):547-554. https://doi.org/10.4047/jap.2014.6.6.547

Translucent zirconia, manufactured by increasing the yttria content, offers improved translucency, but may have a negative effect on esthetic outcomes under clinical conditions such as discolored abutment because of the reflection of the underlying color. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the translucency parameter and masking ability of 3 mol % yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP (Katana HT)), 4Y-ZP (Katana STML), and 5Y-ZP (Katana UTML) with those of lithium disilicate (Rosetta SM). Zirconia and lithium disilicate specimens of 10 mm diameters and 0.8 and 1.5 mm thicknesses were fabricated. Their CIE L*a*b* values (L*, brightness; a*, red-green value; b*, yellow-blue value) were measured at the center of the specimens against black and white backgrounds using a spectrophotometer, and translucency parameter (TP) values were determined. The microstructure of the specimens was observed using scanning electron microscopy. Four cylindrical backgrounds of different shades were prepared. The zirconia and lithium disilicate specimens were placed on the backgrounds without any intervening medium. CIE L*a*b* values were obtained, and the color difference value (ΔE) was calculated. Thresholds for acceptability and perceptibility were assumed as ΔE = 5.5 and ΔE = 2.6, respectively, to evaluate masking ability. Data were compared using one-way analysis of variance and post-hoc was performed using Scheffe’s test (α = 0.05). In zirconia specimens, the TP value increased as the yttria content increased from 3 mol %, through 4 mol % to 5 mol %, and all zirconia specimens showed lower TP values than lithium disilicate specimens did. All zirconia specimens showed optimal masking ability against a normal dentin shade (ND3) and acceptable masking ability against titanium at a minimum thickness of 1.5 mm. However, no zirconia specimen could mask severely discolored dentin (ND9), regardless of thickness. The decrease in zirconia thickness from 1.5 to 0.8 mm significantly increased translucency. Monolithic Y-TZP ceramics could mask a normal dentin background but could not mask severely discolored dentin at either 0.8 or 1.5 mm thicknesses.

The purpose of this review is to examine various assessment methods in order to compare the accuracy between the virtually planned and clinically achieved implant positions. In this review, comparison methods using pre- and post-operative computed topography (CT) data and digital impressions for definitive prosthesis will be described. The method for the displacement and strain for quantification of the error will also be explored. The difference between the planned and the actual implant placement position in guided implant surgery is expressed as an error. Assessing the accuracy of implant-guided surgery can play an important role as positive feedback in order to reduce errors. All of the assessment methods have their own inevitable errors and require careful interpretation in evaluation.