Effect of the thickness of CAD-CAM materials on the shear bond strength of light-polymerized resin cement.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the thickness of computer aided design-computer aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) restorative materials on the bond strength of light-polymerized resin cement. Ninety specimens were prepared from three different CAD-CAM materials (a leucite-based glass-ceramic [Empress CAD], a polymer-infiltrated ceramic network [Vita Enamic], and a zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass-ceramic [Vita Suprinity]) in different thicknesses (1, 2, and 3mm). One surface of each specimen was treated by using a single-step self-etching ceramic primer (Monobond Etch & Prime). Light-polymerized resin cement was bonded to treated surfaces by exposure to a light-emitting diode curing unit from the untreated side of the samples. Shear bond strength (SBS) between the ceramic and the resin cement was measured by using a universal testing machine. The leucite-based glass-ceramic had higher SBS values than the other materials at each thickness. For each material, 1mm-thick specimens had the highest SBS values. The difference between the SBS values of 2mm- and 3mm-thick polymer-infiltrated ceramic network was nonsignificant, whereas the SBS values of 2mm-thick leucite-based glass-ceramic and the zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass-ceramic were significantly higher than those of the corresponding 3mm-thick specimens. The choice of the material and its thickness may be highly important for clinical success when light-polymerized resin cements are used for cementation.