Fatigue Strength and Microstructural Evaluation of Zirconia Implant Specimens Fabricated Using a Large-area Additive Manufacturing System

Su-Min Cho; Jai-Young Koak; Seong-Kyun Kim; Ji-Man Park

doi:10.32542/implantology.2025013

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2025 Vol.29, Issue 3 Next Page

Original Article

Fatigue Strength and Microstructural Evaluation of Zirconia Implant Specimens Fabricated Using a Large-area Additive Manufacturing System

30 September 2025. pp. 123-132

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Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluated the mechanical stability of zirconia specimens fabricated using a large-area additive manufacturing (AM) system, with a focus on their clinical applicability as dental implant materials.

Materials and Methods: Zirconia specimens were manufactured using a digital light processing (DLP)-based vat photopolymerization system equipped with a large build platform (685 mm × 350 mm × 20 mm). The material used was 3 mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP). Surface morphology was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fatigue strength was evaluated in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 13356:2015 under cyclic loading between 32 and 320 MPa at a frequency of 12 Hz for 1,000,000 cycles (R-ratio = 0.1). Tests were conducted at room temperature with specimens immersed in normal saline.

Results: SEM analysis revealed no surface defects or cracks. High-magnification images showed densely packed zirconia grains, most of which were smaller than 600 nm. All specimens (n = 5) withstood fatigue testing without any signs of fracture or cracking under the applied conditions.

Conclusion: Zirconia specimens fabricated using the large-area AM system satisfied the ISO 13356:2015 mechanical requirements, particularly fatigue resistance. These findings demonstrate that the system can produce zirconia dental implant components with adequate structural stability, supporting its clinical applicability and potential for high-throughput production.

Keywords

Additive manufacturing

Digital light processing

Fatigue strength

Large-area ceramic lamination system

Microstructure

Zirconia implant

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Information

Publisher :The Korean Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Implantology
Publisher(Ko) :대한구강악안면임플란트학회
Journal Title :Journal of implantology and applied sciences
Journal Title(Ko) :대한구강악안면임플란트학회지
Volume : 29
No :3
Pages :123-132
Received Date : 2025-08-20
Accepted Date : 2025-09-13
DOI :https://doi.org/10.32542/implantology.2025013

Journal of implantology and applied sciences ISSN:2765-7833(Print) 2765-7841(Online) 대한구강악안면임플란트학회지

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