Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of gas species used for low-temperature atmospheric pressure plasma surface treatment, using various gas species and different treatment times, on zirconia surface state and the bond strength between zirconia and dental resin cement. Three groups of zirconia specimens with different surface treatments were prepared as follows: untreated group, alumina sandblasting treatment group, and plasma treatment group. Nitrogen (N2), carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), argon (Ar), and air were employed for plasma irradiation. The bond strength between each zirconia specimen and resin cement was compared using a tension test. The effect of the gas species for plasma irradiation on the zirconia surface was investigated using a contact angle meter, an optical interferometer, an X-ray diffractometer, and X-ray photoelectric spectroscopy. Plasma irradiation increased the wettability and decreased the carbon contamination on the zirconia surface, whereas it did not affect the surface topography and crystalline phase. The bond strength varied depending on the gas species and irradiation time. Plasma treatment with N2 gas significantly increased bond strength compared to the untreated group and showed a high bond strength equivalent to that of the sandblasting treatment group. The removal of carbon contamination from the zirconia surface and an increase in the percentage of Zr-O2 on the zirconia surface by plasma irradiation might increase bond strength.
Highlights
Zirconia ceramics possess outstanding mechanical properties, such as excellent strength and high biocompatibility for dental applications [1]
This study aimed to investigate the effect of surface treatment using a low-temperature atmospheric pressure multi-gas plasma jet device with various gas species and different treatment times on the bond strength between zirconia and dental resin cement
The bond strength after plasma treatment with N2 gas for 10 s was significantly increased compared to untreated specimens and showed a high bond strength, equivalent to that after sandblasting treatment
Summary
Zirconia ceramics possess outstanding mechanical properties, such as excellent strength and high biocompatibility for dental applications [1]. Among the treatment methods for the inner surface of zirconia, sandblasting with alumina particles is commonly employed, as this procedure cleans the ceramic surface, removes impurities, increases surface roughness, and modifies the surface energy and wettability [3]. The plasma jet has been found to be effective in decomposing and removing contaminants at the electron level and activating the surface energy [4,5]. C–C and C–H bonds can be broken and contaminants can be removed from the zirconia surface [6] These phenomena may increase the surface wettability, which can strengthen the bond strength between zirconia and resin cement [7]. Surface treatment by plasma jet is a clean, environmentally friendly method that does not generate medical waste; it is expected to be used in future dental practice
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