Papers by Author: Nikolaos Kantiranis

Abstract: The clinical use of plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings on metal implants has been widely investigated as the HA coating can achieve the firm and direct biological fixation with the surrounding bone tissue. It is shown in previous studies that the mechanical properties of HA coatings are improved by the addition of ZrO2 particles during the deposition of the coating on the substrate. Subsequently, the cohesive and adhesive strengths of plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings were strengthened by the ZrO2 particles addition as a reinforcing agent in the HA coating (HA+ZrO2 composite coating). The aim of the present work is to investigate and evaluate the in vitro bioactivity assessment of HA and HA/ZrO2 coatings, on stainless steel substrate, soaked in c-SBF, in order to study and compare their biological responses. The coatings were produced using vapor plasma spraying (VPS). The characterization of the surface of the coatings before and after soaking in SBF solution was performed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction analysis (XRD). All samples were smoothed before insertion in the medium and the in vitro bioactivity of all coating samples was tested in conventional Simulated Body Fluid (c-SBF) solution for various immersion times.

Abstract: End temperature of the firing cycle, during processing of dental ceramics, directs the interaction of both sintering and crystallization pathways, tailoring physicochemical properties and bioactivity. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of end temperature over the structural properties and composition, along with the bioactive behavior of dental porcelain, modified by bioactive glass. Sol-gel derived specimens of bioactive glass (58S)- commercial dental porcelain composites synthesized (BP) and underwent firing cycles at the crystallization temperature (Tc=1040oC) and the temperature just below the melting range (Tm=1080oC), as the composite material. The recommended temperature for the commercial porcelain (Ta=930oC) was examined, too. All specimens were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The assessment of bioactivity was performed in vitro, via the detection of apatite layer development. The well-defined particles, observed by SEM, at 930oC, developed contact formation during the stage of neck growth at 1040oC and 1080oC, indicating the initiation of sintering process. Increasing temperature, the complex porei network became smoother, while spherical and closed porei were evident. FTIR revealed the predominance of wollastonite at the increased temperatures, along with the appearance of cristobalite, while XRD confirmed the results. Finally, the in vitro tests evidenced the bioactivity of the specimens independently of the final temperature, though the increased temperature caused delayed apatite layer formation on their surface. The, microstructural and chemical evolution of the studied composite is temperature-dependent. Increased temperature favored the sintering process initiation, along with the surface crystallization, which delays bioactivity.

Abstract: High strength of Yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) zirconia ceramics are sensitive to low temperature degradation (LTD) that leads to exaggerated tetragonal to monoclinic transformation and a surface to depth propagating degradation that diminishes their mechanical properties. In vitro tests for accelerating ageing have been proposed for the prediction of zirconia ceramics clinical performance. The aim of the present work was to investigate the in vitro ageing of a cold isostatic-pressed zirconia ceramic for all ceramic restorations. Bar-shaped specimens milled from a zirconia block (Ivoclar IPS e.max ZirCAD) were sintered to full density, mirror-polished and cut into two equal pieces. One piece was used as control while the other was subsequently aged (steam 134°C / 2 bars / 10 hours). Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was used to evaluate the surface profile and the micro-structural features before and after ageing. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD) were used to determine the degree of the m-ZrO₂ transformation. Ageing resulted in an increase of the surface roughness, while the formation of monoclinic spots on the surface of the specimens was verified by surface uplifts in the AFM images. The peaks of the m-phase were clearly observed in the FTIR spectra while an average increase of 16% w.t. of the m-ZrO₂ phase was recorded by XRD. Although, no sound lifetime predictions can be made from accelerated tests, based on the ISO standard that imposes that the m-phase should not exceed 25% wt after 5h at 134 °C and 2 bar pressure , it can be concluded that the tested ceramic resisted an extreme transformation that could negatively affect its clinical performance.

Abstract: The aim of this study was the fabrication using a sol-gel technique of a new glass-ceramic with potential use in dental applications. The characterization of the composition and microstructural properties of the produced material confirmed the similarity between the new sol-gel derived glass-ceramic and a commercial leucite based fluorapatite dental glass-ceramic. The produced material has potential application in dental restorations and it is expected to exhibit better control of composition, microstructure and properties due to the intrinsic advantages of the sol-gel preparation method.

Abstract: Thermal treatment of bioactive glasses can affect their microstructure and thus their bioactivity. The aim of this study was the characterization of the thermally treated sol-gel-derived bioactive glass 58S at characteristic temperatures and the dependence of its bioactive behavior on the specific thermal treatment. The thermal behavior of the bioactive glass was studied by thermal analysis (TG/DTA). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffractometry (XRD) were used for the characterization of the bioactive glass. The bioactive behavior in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) was examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDS) and FTIR. The major crystal phases after thermal treatment were Calcium Silicates, Wollastonite and Pseudowollastonite, while all thermally treated samples developed apatite after 48 hours in SBF. A slight enhancement of bioactivity was observed for the samples heated at the temperature range 910-970oC.

Abstract: In this study new ternary bioactive mixtures were investigated, which are appropriate for applications as coatings on the surface of dental ceramics. The fabrication of mixtures based on the combination of dental ceramic, hydroxyapatite and bioactive glass was demonstrated. The mixtures were characterized by FTIR, XRD and SEM and their bioactive behavior was investigated by immersion in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF). The ternary mixture consisted of a high fusing leucite-feldspathic dental ceramic which exhibited the highest bioactive behavior assigned to the characteristic crystal phases occurring under the specific heat treatment investigated.

Abstract: In this study the fabrication and characterization of a novel sol-gel derived HAp-CaO composite material is investigated. The bioactive behavior of the fabricated composite was assessed by immersion studies in SBF. A brittle and weakly crystalline carbonate hydroxyapatite (HCAp) layer was found to develop few hours after the immersion in SBF confirming high bioactivity. The presence of CaO accelerates the formation of HCAp phase.

Abstract: Melt derived bioactive glass- porcelain system is reported to be bioactive but with a slow rate of bioactivity. The aim of this work is to fabricate and characterize bioactive glass/dental porcelain composites produced by the sol-gel method. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffractometry (XRD) were used to characterize the fabricated materials. The FTIR spectra and the XRD patterns confirm the presence of both constituents in the mixtures, while the dominant crystal phases in bioactive glass/dental porcelain specimens are leucite and wollastonite.

Abstract: Dental ceramic-bioactive glass composites support the attachment and proliferation of human periodontal ligament cells, while their immersion in a simulated body fluid (SBF) results in the precipitation of biological hydroxyapatite further supporting cell proliferation [1]. The aim of the present study was the comparative evaluation of three dental ceramic-bioactive glass composites’ crystal structure relative to bioactive glass amount and the evaluation of their bioactivity. All composites consisted of leucite and Na2CaSi3O9 crystals dispersed in amorphous glassy matrix. Leucite and Na2CaSi3O9 crystals decreased significantly in all composites with the highest amount of dental ceramic, which did not precipitated apatite during the examined immersion time in SBF. An increase of Na2CaSi3O9 crystals in the composites with the highest amount of bioactive glass resulted in faster apatite formation. Increased bioactivity was linearly correlated to increased amount of bioactive glass.