Effect of low-fusing porcelain glaze as zirconia surface treatment on the adhesion of resin cement.

Background: This laboratory study aimed to investigate the influence of a novel surface treatment method, utilizing a low-fusing porcelain glaze layer, on pre-sintered zirconia and the adhesion with resin composite cement. The study employed a primer containing a silane coupling agent and 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) to enhance the bond between the zirconia and resin composite cement.

Material and methods: Zirconia blocks were sectioned, polished, and randomly divided into six groups based on surface treatment before sintering: Group CA50: Pre-sintered specimens were grit-blasted with 50 µm Al2O3 particles; Group CS25: Pre-sintered specimens were grit-blasted with 25 µm high-purity fused silica particles; Group B: Specimens similar to Group CA50 were sintered, glazed, and fired, followed by etching with 9.5% hydrofluoric acid (HF); Group C: Specimens similar to Group CA50 were sintered, glazed, and fired, followed by re-blasting with grit-blasted with 50 µm Al2O3 particles, Group D: Specimens similar to Group CS25 were sintered, glazed, and fired, followed by HF, Group E: Specimens in Group CS25 were sintered, glazed, and fired, followed by sandblasting with 50 µm Al2O3 particles. Microstructural analysis, surface roughness analysis, and shear bond strength testing (SBS) were conducted.

Results: The surface treatment significantly increased the surface roughness with all surface treatments compared to CA50 and CS25. The shear bond strength of group C showed the highest significant SBS compared to all other groups.

Conclusions: Alumina sandblasting of the glazed zirconia as pretreatment of sintered zirconia can improve the bonding to silane primer and resin cement. Key words:Glass beads, Alumina blasting, Pre-sintered zirconia, Silane.