Purpose: To evaluate the effect of different surface treatments on mechanical and optical properties of lithium disilicate ceramic (IPS e.max CAD), 2 resin nanoceramics (Lava Ultimate, GC Cerasmart), and polymer-infiltrated ceramic network material (Vita Enamic).

Materials and methods: CAD/CAM blocks were sectioned into 4 × 1 × 14 mm3 bars for three-point bending test and 1 × 8 × 8 mm3 square specimens were obtained for color and translucency measurements. Bar-shaped and square specimens were divided into five groups according to the surface treatment method as: control (no treatment), hydrofluoric acid etching, airborne-particle abrasion, 2 W and 3 W Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation (n = 10). Three-point bending test was carried out on a universal test machine with a 1 mm/min crosshead speed. Color and translucency measurements were performed with a spectrophotometer and repeated after surface treatments. Flexural strength, translucency parameter, and ΔE values were calculated and data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests. ΔE values >1.2 and >2.7 were considered as perceptible and unacceptable, respectively.

Results: All surface treatment methods decreased the flexural strength of all tested materials (P < 0.05) except for 2 W laser-irradiated and airborne-particle abraded Vita Enamic and 2 W laser irradiated Lava Ultimate (P > 0.05). Color changes of lithium disilicate specimens were not perceptible except for airborne-particle abraded specimens. All ΔE values of resin-based materials were above the perceptibility threshold. Acid-etched and 3 W laser-irradiated GC Vita Enamic specimens revealed unacceptable color changes. The translucencies of resin-based materials significantly decreased after all surface treatment applications.

Conclusions: Surface treatments affected the flexural strength and optical properties of CAD/CAM restorative materials. Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation with 2 W energy level may be an alternative surface treatment method for CAD/CAM materials.