The effect of fusion sputtering surface treatment on microshear bond strength of zirconia and MDP-containing resin cement.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of fusion sputtering surface treatment on the microshear bond strength of zirconia and self-adhesive MDP-containing resin cement.

Materials: Thirty-six zirconia discs received one of the following treatments: fusion sputtering, airborne particle abrasion with 50-μm aluminum oxide particles, while as-sintered specimens served as a control. Four treated zirconia samples from each group were examined using 3D laser scanning microscope to assess the surface roughness and scanning electron microscope to study the surface topography. The specimens of each group were bonded to composite micro discs using MDP-containing self-adhesive resin cement (Panavia SA cement plus). The specimens were thermocycled for 5000 cycles between 5 and 55 °C. Microshear bond strength test was performed using universal testing machine until bonding failure. Failure modes and fracture surfaces was evaluated using scanning electron microscope.

Results: The fusion sputtering surface treatment significantly influenced zirconia-resin bond strength (p < 0.001). The highest mean microshear bond strength value was observed in fusion sputtering treatment (23.18 ± 4.38). The lowest value was observed in as-sintered zirconia surfaces (7.23 ± 6.26).

Significance: Fusion sputtering surface treatment enhanced the microshear bond strength of zirconia and resin cement.