Evaluation of Clear Aligner Attachments Bonded to Lithium Disilicate Ceramic Prepared with Different Surface Roughening Methods: An In Vitro Study.

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to assess the effects of surface conditioning and different composite types on the surface roughness (SR) and shear bond strength (SBS) between lithium disilicate and clear aligner composite attachments.

Materials and methods: Eighty ivoclar vivadent pressable (IPS) e.max press specimens were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 20) based on the surface treatment method employed. Group I: Used sandblasting with 50 μm Al₂O₃ slurry particles; group II: Used 9.5% hydrofluoric acid (HFA); group III: Used 37% phosphoric acid (PhA); and group IV: Used an Er,Cr:YSGG laser. Surface roughness was measured using a stylus profilometer. For SBS, each group was split into two subgroups based on the composite type (n = 10): Filtek^TM Z350 supreme ultra flowable and Filtek^TM Z350. The evaluation of SBS was conducted using Instron universal testing equipment.

Results: The results indicated that the sandblasting group gave the highest mean surface roughness, while the 37% PhA group showed the lowest recorded value. In addition, the HFA group had the highest mean SBS, while the 37% PhA group demonstrated the lowest SBS.

Conclusion: The interaction of HFA and Filtek^TM Z350 demonstrated the highest SBS, followed by sandblasting and Filtek^TM Z350.

Clinical significance: The current study may guide orthodontists to choose the appropriate composite material and conditioning technique to achieve a strong SBS between clear aligner composite attachments and lithium disilicate ceramic. How to cite this article: Fayyadh AM, Elbialy MA, Tawfik MA. Evaluation of Clear Aligner Attachments Bonded to Lithium Disilicate Ceramic Prepared with Different Surface Roughening Methods: An In Vitro Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(8):766-771.