The Impact of Riboflavin, Nd: YAG Laser, and Ceramic Primer Pretreatment on Surface Roughness, Bond Failure, and Adhesive Strength of Resin Composite to Lithium Disilicate Ceramics: A Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Analysis

Abstract

Aim: Adhesive bond integrity and surface roughness (Ra) of LDS ceramics following the application of various surface treatments. Material and Method: Forty disks of LDS ceramics were prepared and randomly distributed into different groups based on the method of pretreatment. Group 1: HF (hydrofluoric acid) + S (Silane), Group 2: RFP (riboflavin photosensitizer) S, Group 3: SECP (selfetch ceramic primer and Group 4: Nd: YAG laser. Following conditing LDS ceramic was assessed for Ra and Scanning electron micrographs. All LDS ceramics were bonded and the strength of the resin-ceramic interface was tested using a universal testing machine. The debonded samples were examined under a stereomicroscope. The failure modes were categorized as cohesive, admixed, and adhesive interfaces. Ra and bond integrity values were tested using, two-way ANOVA, and Tukey post hoc tests. (p = 0.05). Results: The highest Ra and bond values were exhibited by samples pretreated using HF + S. Nevertheless, group 2 (RFP + S) demonstrated the lowest bond integrity (12.37 ± 1.98 MPa). No significant differences in the bond integrity outcomes between group 1, group 3 (SECP), and group 4 (Nd: YAG laser + S) (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Nd: YAG and SECP have the potential to be used as an LDS ceramic conditioner alternative to HFA for adequate bond scores.