The effect of metal primer application and Nd:YAG laser irradiation on the shear-bond strength between polymethyl methacrylate and cobalt-chromium alloy.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the shear-bond strengths (SBSs) of an acrylic resin and a cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloy after applying a metal primer, Nd:YAG laser irradiation, or both to the sandblasted surface of the Co-Cr alloy.

Background Data: The serviceability of a removable partial denture (RPD) is dependent on the bond strength at the resin-alloy interface. No previously published studies exist on the use of Nd:YAG lasers for preparing the surface of a Co-Cr alloy in an RPD to obtain a high-strength bond between PMMA and the alloy.

Methods: One-hundred twenty Co-Cr alloy specimens were sandblasted and randomly assigned to four equal groups: Group I, sandblasting; Group II, sandblasting + metal primer; Group III, sandblasting + Nd:YAG laser; and Group IV, sandblasting + Nd:YAG laser + metal primer. To establish the most appropriate fluence for modifying the surface of the sandblasted cast specimens, we conducted a preliminary study. Nd:YAG laser irradiation at a fluence of 46.9 J/cm(2) was selected. After the various surface treatments, each alloy specimen was embedded in PMMA to determine the SBS between PMMA and the alloy.

Results: Group II and III specimens exhibited higher SBSs than did those of the Group I specimens (p < 0.05), and Group IV specimens showed higher SBSs than did those of the Group II and III specimens (p < 0.05). A significant difference existed in failure types among groups (p < 0.05). Failure type was predominantly adhesive for groups I and III, but predominantly mixed for groups II and IV.

Conclusions: Nd:YAG laser irradiation at a fluence of 46.9 J/cm(2) roughens the sandblasted surface of a Co-Cr alloy and increases the strength of the bond between PMMA and the alloy. This bond strength can be increased further by applying a metal primer to the laser-irradiated surface.