In vitro experimental study of bonding between aluminium oxide ceramics and resin cements.

UNLABELLED To evaluate bond strengths of different resin cements to two aluminum oxide-based ceramics. METHODS One hundred ten ceramic cylinders were produced and given four different surface treatments. Resin cement cylinders were then bonded to the ceramic cylinders using different resin cements and the bond strength was determined by shear testing to the breaking point. We were thus able to obtain results for the different combinations of porcelain, surface treatments and cements. All data was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test for more than two independent samples and the Bonferroni correction applied (a=0.01). An optical microscopy study was carried out to analyze the type of failure, and an electronic microscopy examination was carried out in order to evaluate the changes produced in the ceramic by the different surface treatments. RESULTS The best values corresponded to the control group, composed of silicate ceramics combined with Variolink II resin cement. In-Ceram Alumina showed no significant differences with respect to the type of cement applied. Procera AllCeram obtained the best values when silica coated using the CoJet System and applying Variolink II, or when sandblasted and applying Clearfil SE Bond + Porcelain Bond Activator and Panavia F cement. SIGNIFICANCE Surface treatment modifies the ceramic surface and influences the bond strength, as does the type of cement used. Silica coating is recommended to improve adhesion to Procera AllCeram, applying Variolink II, or sandblasting plus resin cement containing MDP (Panavia F).