Bond Strength of Resin Cements to a Zirconia Ceramic with Different Surface Treatments

Abstract

SUMMARY This study evaluated the influence of surface treatments and metal primers on the bond strength of resin cements to a yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) ceramic. Two-hundred and forty plates of Y-TZP ceramic were randomly assigned to 24 groups (n=10) according to the combination of surface treatment (none, air abrasion with Al 2 O 3 particles, Er:YAG laser irradiation), metal primer (none, Alloy Primer, Metal Primer II or Metaltite) and resin cement (Calibra [Bis-GMA-based] or Panavia F2.0 [MDP-based]). Fragments of dentin with a cylindrical edge (0.8 mm in diameter) were fixed to ceramic surfaces with the resin cements. The micro-shear bond test was carried out at a 1 mm/minute speed until failure, and the ceramic surfaces were examined after debonding. Bond strengths were analyzed through three-way ANOVA/Tukey test with a 5% significance level. Changes in topography after surface treatments were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy. Surface treatments significantly modified the topography of the Y-TZP ceramic. Air abrasion resulted in increased bond strength for both resin cements. However, air abraded and laser irradiated specimens presented higher bond strength with the Bis-GMA-based resin cement than with the MDP-based cement. Both cements presented similar behavior on untreated surfaces. The three metal primers yielded a significant increase in bond strength, regardless of the surface treatment and resin cement. Adhesive failures were the most prevalent. Air abrasion with Al 2 O 3 particles and the application of metal primers increased bond strength to Y-TZP surfaces for both resin cements.