The Effect of Surface Treatments on the Micro-shear Bond Strength of a Resin Luting Agent and Four All-ceramic Systems

Objective. The current study evaluated the micro-shear bond strength between a resin luting agent and four strengthened all-ceramic systems under different surface treatments. Methods. Rectangular specimens of IPS Empress 2 (Ivoclar-Vivadent), Cergogold (DeguDent), In Ceram Alumina (Vita) and Cercon (DeguDent) ceramics were fabricated and randomly divided into three groups: 1-no treatment; 2-etched with 9.5% hydrofluoric acid and 3-airborne-particle abraded with 50 gm aluminum oxide particles. The ceramic surfaces of the specimens were coated with a silane agent (Clearfil Porcelain Bond, Kuraray), then bonded with a resin-luting agent (Panavia F, Kuraray). A micro-shear bond test was carried out to measure the bond strength. Moreover, each ceramic surface was observed morphologically by scanning electron microscopy. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc analysis (p<0.05). Results. The bond strength of all ceramic systems evaluated was affected by the surface treatments (p<0.05). The highest values for bond strength of IPS Empress 2 were found when the surface treatment used was hydrofluoric acid etching, followed by airborne particle abrasion treatment. On the other hand, airborne particle abrasion treatment and acid etching were not different for Cergogold and In Ceram Alumina ceramics, but they were higher when compared to the control (p<0.05). The highest bond strength to Cercon was found when it was treated with airborne particle abrasion with aluminum oxide. The SEM photographs showed that the hydrofluoric acid etching treatment affected the surface of IPS Empress 2 and Cergogold; however, Cercon and In Ceram surface morphology were not changed by the hydrofluoric acid etching. The airborne particle abrasion treatment altered the Cercon ceramic morphology but it did not change the other ceramic's surface.344399407University of Uberaba, Uberaba-MG, Brazil [PIBIC 079/2005]University of Uberaba, Uberaba-MG, Brazil [PIBIC 079/2005