Zirconia and radioactivity: An in vitro study to establish the presence of radionuclides in dental zirconia
The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Abstract
Statement of problem
Dental zirconia possesses concentrations of radionuclides, but their possible radioactivity is unknown.
Purpose
The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the radioactivity and radionuclide concentration in dental zirconia.
Material and methods
Three specimens were obtained from commonly used dental yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal materials: Vita In-Ceram YZ, Zirkonzahn, and Zirkonzahn Prettau—producing a powder for the evaluation of radioactivity through gamma spectrometry. For the determination of radioactivity, a group of radionuclides (Ac-228, Pb-212, Tl-208, Pb-214, Bi-214, and Be-7) was evaluated.
Results
The measurements of all the specimens reported that most activity came from the decay chain of uranium, radium, and thorium, obtaining a radioactivity of 11.082 Bq/kg for Vita In-Ceram YZ, <11.63 Bq/kg for Zirkonzahn, and <34.91 Bq/kg for Zirkonzahn Prettau.
Conclusions
Although all specimens contained radionuclides, their radioactivity was below the limit established by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Comments