A novel dual surface modification on titanium in dental use: Characterization and topography

Abstract

This laboratory study aimed to compare, contrast, and evaluate the effect of a novel dual surface modification method on the adhesion strength of resin composite cement to titanium. C.p.‐2 grade titanium samples were silica‐coated, etched with HNO3(69vol %) or a blend of HCl (35vol %) and H3PO4 (85vol %), for 1 h at 80°C. Surface roughness was measured by surface roughness profilometry, topographic analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and surface analyses by energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Silanization of all specimens was carried out after SEM, EDX, and AFM analysis, before enclosed mold microshear bond strength testing (EM‐μSBS). Adhesion strengths were measured after artificial ageing: 1 day, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks by EM‐μSBS testing and failure mode analysis by optical microscopy. Polished titanium was used as a control. The highest surface roughness was observed in titanium samples treated with silica‐coating + HCl‐H3PO4 etching. The elemental composition confirmed the presence of Ti, O, C, with Si and Al in samples treated with silica‐coating. A gradual decrease in EM‐μSBS values was observed in all titanium samples with adhesive and cohesive failure modes. The novel dual surface modification method applied in this study suggests that silica‐coating + HCl‐H3PO4etching strongly affects titanium surface topography and roughness. The presence of Si on silica‐coated surface modified titanium before silanization with an experimental silane has a positive effect on the EM‐μSBS of titanium samples treated with silica‐coating only or silica‐coating + HNO3 etching.