Effect of surface pretreatments on the bonding strength and durability of self-adhesive resin cements to machined titanium

Abstract

A durable and strong adhesive bond between luting agent and titanium framework is necessary. However, the nature of adhesion between titanium and the adhesive luting materials remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of treating surfaces with chemical etching solution on the adhesion of titanium-resin cement systems as determined by strain energy release rate (G-value, J/m(2)). One hundred and eighty commercially pure titanium (cp Ti) plates were prepared. The specimens were divided into 5 test groups according to the surface treatment used; Gr C (machined; control), Gr A (airborne-particle abrasion), Gr E15, Gr E30, and Gr E60 (experimental etching solution applied for 15, 30, or 60 minutes). For strain energy release rate testing, each group was further divided into 2 equal subgroups according to the type of resin cement used (i CEM or Multilink Speed). The strain energy release rate was evaluated after 24 hours of storage in distilled water or after thermocycling (10,000 cycles, 5°C to 55°C). The treated surfaces were characterized by AFM and SEM. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test (α=.05). Strain energy release rate values were significantly affected by type of cement, surface treatment, and thermocycling (P<.05). After thermocycling, the cp Ti/i CEM (E30 and E60) groups showed the highest G-values among the groups. AFM and SEM analyses showed that the surface topography of cp Ti was modified after treatments. The strain energy release rate (G-value, J/m(2)) between resin cement and cp Ti can be improved by the use of experimental hot etching solution before cement application.