Time-dependent changes in the mechanical properties of zirconia ceramic.

Zirconia has received special attention, mainly because of its high strength and toughness. However, there is some controversy about the time-dependent deterioration of its mechanical properties. To examine the change in mechanical properties of zirconia ceramics in vivo and in vitro, tetragonal zirconia polycrystal pieces were introduced into the medullary cavity of the tibia in Japanese rabbits and animals were sacrificed after 2, 4 and 6 weeks and 6, 12, and 30 mo, respectively. Alumina ceramic and hydroxyapatite (HAP) pieces were used as controls to investigate the differences in biocompatibility. Zirconia showed a bending strength of over 1000 MPa initially, and little time-dependent change in strength was found in both in vivo and in vitro environments. x-Ray analysis showed little change in the transformation rate, i.e., less than 5 mol % in vivo and in vitro over a period of 3 years. To estimate time-dependent changes in zirconia over a longer period, zirconia pieces were placed in 95 degrees C saline solution for over 3 years and their mechanical properties examined at chosen intervals. No serious decrease of bending strength was found over the 3-year period under these conditions. It is concluded that zirconia can be used clinically because it retains a bending strength of over 700 MPa under any experimental conditions for over 3 years.