Research Article Open Access

Assessing Fracture Resistance of Dental Ceramics with a Sound Harvesting Acoustic Emission Test

Abstract

Introduction: Evaluating the fracture resistance of dental ceramics such as monolithic zirconia crowns is crucial for assessing their durability. Conventional destructive laboratory tests often fail to accurately evaluate the timing and failure crack formation of brittle materials. Non-destructive testing methods, such as acoustic emission testing, offer an alternative by providing valuable data on the material properties that cause damage to the samples. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of a sound harvesting modified acoustic emission test by comparing the fracture resistance of posterior Monolithic Zirconia Crowns (MZCs) measured via a test with that of a conventional fracture toughness test. Materials and methods: A modified acoustic emission test, the sound harvesting setup, featuring a microphone, custom audio chipset, and cut-off switch integrated into a universal testing machine, was compared to a conventional fracture toughness test to measure fracture loads on 50 posterior monolithic zirconia crowns divided into two groups. Results: The sound harvesting test recorded a mean fracture load of 1108.99 N, which was significantly lower than that 1292.52 N measured using the conventional test, indicating a more sensitive detection of fractures. Conclusion: The sound-harvesting test shows potential as an alternative testing method for dental ceramics, highlighting its ability to identify failures at lower loads.

Camille Haddad*, Jean Gebran, Amine Zoghbi

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