Effect of Surface Treatment Protocols on Nanoindentation-Derived Mechanical Properties and Wettability of Hybrid CAD/CAM Materials
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background/Objectives: Hybrid CAD/CAM materials combine ceramic and polymeric phases, so conditioning protocols developed for glass–ceramics may not transfer to them. Because wettability and near-surface mechanics are usually studied separately, this study measured both to test whether conditioning trades one for the other. Methods: Edelweiss C-Block, Lava Ultimate, Vita Enamic and Cerasmart 270 specimens were left untreated or treated with 9% hydrofluoric acid (HF) for 60 s, sandblasting (50 µm Al2O3, 1 bar) or silane. Static water contact angle (sessile drop; 90 readings per group) and hardness, elastic modulus and maximum penetration depth (nanoindentation at 30 mN, Oliver–Pharr; 17–25 valid indentations per group) were compared with controls using Welch’s t-tests with Holm correction. Results: Control contact angles (45.1–60.4°) fell to 6.3–18.1° after sandblasting and 8.8–32.5° after silanization; HF lowered them to 17.9–38.0° in three materials but raised Lava Ultimate’s from 48.4° to 58.1°. Sandblasting caused the largest mechanical losses in every material (hardness reduced by >90%, penetration depth up to 7.9-fold); HF reduced hardness by 58–98%. Silanization preserved 93–97% of control hardness in Lava Ultimate and Cerasmart 270 and gave Vita Enamic its lowest contact angle. Conclusions: Improved wettability and preserved near-surface mechanics were not mutually exclusive, and responses depended on microstructure. Bond strength was not measured, so these findings should guide, not replace, bonding studies.
Source: Dentistry Journal
DOI: 10.3390/dj14100650
Language: English
Subfield: General Dentistry
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,413
OpenAlex ID: W7221141122