Hybrid TiO<sub>2</sub>/Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> nanolayer overcoating enhances dental lithium disilicate glass-ceramics acid resistance and surface mechanical properties.

Zhang, Xiaoxuan; Zhang, Bin; Meng, Fanchun; Zhao, Xiangyu; Liu, Ruilin; Liu, Meixian; Li, Huifei; Zhang, Yuan et al. · Nat Commun · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Lithium disilicate glass-ceramics are increasingly utilized in dental applications due to their exceptional optical and aesthetic properties. However, lithium disilicate glass-ceramics possess a mixed crystalline and amorphous structure with variable resistance to external corrosion. Exposure of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics to acidic conditions in the oral cavity leads to pore formation, and the risk of cracking increases with long-term wear. Herein, we employed atomic layer deposition to precisely coat the TiO<sub>2</sub>/Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> hybrid nanolayer on the surface of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics to enhance acid resistance and surface mechanical properties. The TiO<sub>2</sub> species play crucial roles in improving acid resistance, and the Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> species, atomically bonded to the TiO<sub>2</sub> species in the hybrid layer, promote interfacial interactions. Moreover, the TiO<sub>2</sub>/Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> hybrid nanolayer shows no cytotoxicity while maintaining the aesthetics of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic restorations, thus offering broad prospects for oral restoration applications.