Effect of surface treatments on the resin bond to zirconium-based ceramic

PURPOSE: This study tested the hypothesis that the tribochemical silica coating on ceramic surfaces increases the bond strength of resin cement to a glass-infiltrated zirconium-based ceramic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen blocks of In-Ceram Zirconia from CEREC InLab (5 per group) and 15 composite blocks (Z-250) 5 mm x 5 mm x 4 mm were made. The ceramic surfaces were polished, and the blocks were divided into three groups: (1) airborne abrasion with 110-microm aluminum oxide particles; (2) Rocatec system, tribochemical silica coating; and (3) CoJet system, tribochemical silica coating. The ceramic blocks were cemented to the composite blocks using Panavia F according to the manufacturer's specifications. All samples were stored in 37 degrees C distilled water for 7 days and later sectioned in two axes using a diamond disk under cooling to obtain specimens with a cross-sectional area of approximately 1 mm2 (n = 45). Each specimen was then attached with cyanoacrylate glue to an adapted device for the microtensile test, which was carried out on a universal testing machine. RESULTS: The results were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's test. Group 2 (23.0+/-6.7 MPa) and group 3 (26.8+/-7.4 MPa) showed greater bond strength than group 1 (15.1+/-5.3 MPa). There was no significant difference between groups 2 and 3. All failures were in the adhesive zone. CONCLUSION: The hypothesis was confirmed--the tribochemical systems increased the bond strength between Panavia F and In-Ceram Zirconia.