Durability of the resin bond strength to the alumina ceramic Procera.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the tensile bond strength of adhesive bonding systems to the densely sintered alumina ceramic Procera, and its durability. METHODS: Plexiglas tubes filled with composite resin were bonded to Procera ceramic discs (99% Al2O3), which were either in their original state as supplied by the manufacturer or which were sandblasted for surface conditioning. Groups of 20 specimens were bonded in an alignment apparatus using 10 bonding methods. Subgroups of 10 bonded specimens were tested for tensile strength following storage in distilled water at 37 degrees C either for 3 days or for 150 days. In addition, the 150 days specimens were thermal cycled 37,500 times. The statistical analyses were conducted with the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by multiple pair-wise comparison of groups using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: Not sandblasted groups showed relatively poor initial bond strengths independent from bonding resins. During 150 days storage time all specimens in the not sandblasted groups debonded spontaneously. Moderate to relatively high initial bond strengths between 18 and 39 MPa were achieved to sandblasted specimens by using the PMMA luting resin Superbond C & B or the composite resin Variolink II or by silica coating and silanation in combination with Variolink II. However, in these groups after 150 days storage time the bond strength decreased significantly. The phosphate monomer containing composite resin Panavia 21 showed the highest bond strength to sandblasted Procera ceramic which did not decrease significantly over storage time. In addition, the bond strengths of sandblasted groups bonded with Variolink II after priming the ceramic with Alloy Primer or the silane Monobond S were relatively high and did also not decrease significantly after 150 days storage time. SIGNIFICANCE: Using ten bonding systems, a stable resin bond to Procera ceramic could be achieved after sandblasting and by using Panavia 21 or by using Variolink II after priming the ceramic with Alloy Primer or Monobond S.