The effect of surface treatments on the bonding strength of ceramic inlays to dentin

Abstract

Aim: To compare and evaluate the effects of different surface treatments on surface roughness and the microtensile bonding strengths of four different ceramics to dentin. Methods: 160 human molar teeth were used. The teeth were divided into four groups (n=40). FC (Finesse), LC (IPS Empress Esthetics), LDC (IPS Empress e-Max) and MZC (Zirkonzahn Prettau) ceramic restorations were prepared. The specimens were divided into eight groups: (1) control, (2) air abrasion (AA), (3) HF acid etching (HF), (4) experimental hot etching (EHE), (5) Nd:YAG laser irradiation, (6) Nd:YAG laser+air abrasion, (7) Nd:YAG laser+HF acid, and (8) Nd:YAG laser+experimental hot etching. The surface roughness of the ceramics was determined with atomic force microscopy. After the cementation process, the specimens were thermal cycled and subjected to a microtensile bond strength (MBS) test. Two-way ANOVA and a Tukey-s test were used to analyse the surface roughness and MBS values of variance (p=0.05). Results: HF acid etching showed the highest surface roughness in FC (p<0.05). HF increased MBS in LC specimens where AA and HF increased MBS in LCD specimens. For the MZC specimens, AA and Nd:YAG+AA was effective in increasing the MBS (p<0.05). Conclusion: Different surface treatments must be applied to different ceramics to improve the mechanical retention and MBS.