Effect of silica coating and silanization on flexural and composite-resin bond strengths of zirconia posts: An in vitro study.

Statement Of Problem: The bond strength of composite resin cores to the smooth surface of prefabricated zirconia-based ceramic posts is problematic because it might not be sufficient to ensure stability of the post-and-core system. It is also not clear whether any alteration of the post surface to provide additional mechanical or chemical retention would compromise flexural strength of the posts.

Purpose: This study tested the effect of a tribochemical treatment on the bond strength (BS) between zirconia-based ceramic posts and composite resin and on the flexural strength (FS) of the posts.

Material And Methods: For the BS test, 2 groups of specimens (n = 10) were prepared as follows: In the experimental (E) group, zirconia-based ceramic posts (Cosmopost), 21 mm long and 1.7 mm in diameter, were treated with a tribochemical silica coating and silanization system (Rocatec). For the control (C) group, zirconia-based ceramic posts were used as supplied by the manufacturer. For the 2 groups, posts were centered and vertically positioned in a metal mold, and composite resin (Tetric Ceram) was polymerized around the posts to form rings (6 mm diameter x 4 mm height). All specimens were positioned in a universal testing machine, and a load was applied axially on the protruding heads of posts in a shear push-out mode test until bond failure (MPa). Fracture mode was assessed as cohesive, cohesive/adhesive, or adhesive. Following this, the FS of the posts was measured in MPa using a 3-point bending test. Data were recorded and statistically analyzed using the Student t test for both tests (alpha = .01).

Results: Mean fracture load values +/- SDs for the BS test were 28.1 +/- 2.3 MPa and 8.9 +/- 3.97 MPa for the E and C groups, respectively. The mean FS values were 1544.9 +/- 214.1 MPa and 844.8 +/- 50.8 MPa for the E and C groups, respectively. The tribochemically treated posts exhibited significantly higher values for both bond strength to composite resin and resistance to fracture when compared to posts in the control group (P < .001). Fracture analysis showed 100% cohesive/adhesive fractures for group E specimens and 100% adhesive fractures for group C specimens.

Conclusions: The use of a tribochemical silica coating process and silanization on zirconia-based ceramic posts increased both the bond strength to composite resin as well as the fracture strength of posts.