Effect of airborne particle abrasion and primer application on the surface wettability and bond strength of resin cements to translucent zirconia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sandblasting and primer application on the immediate and long-term shear bond strength of resin cements to translucent zirconia. Zirconia plates (Katana STML, Kuraray Noritake Dental) were divided into six groups (n = 10) for shear bond strength evaluation using three resin cements (Panavia V5, Kuraray Noritake Dental; Variolink Esthetic LC, Ivoclar-Vivadent; and Panavia SA Cement Universal, Kuraray Noritake Dental). The zirconia was sandblasted or left unabraded. Each cement was used with the indicated primer. Two cylinders of cement were placed on the zirconia, one for evaluation after 24 h and the other after 1 year of storage in water. The fracture pattern and the contact angle were observed on all groups. At 24 h, there were no differences in bond strength of the cements for equal sandblasting conditions. After 1-year, the bond strength of all groups decreased, except for Panavia V5 associated with sandblasting. For all the cements, the unabraded zirconia showed a lower bond strength and a higher rate of adhesive failures. The application of primers reduced the contact angle. Higher bond strength is obtained when primers are combined with sandblasting using aluminum oxide particles. Clinical significance: Translucent zirconia restorations should be treated by airborne particle abrasion and phosphate-based primers before bonding, to improve the wettability of the cements and obtain a more durable bonding between the cement and the zirconia.