Does the bond strength of highly translucent zirconia show a different dependence on the airborne-particle abrasion parameters in comparison to conventional zirconia?

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the effects of airborne-particle abrasion protocols on the surface morphology, the phase transformation and the resin bond strength of highly translucent zirconia (M) and conventional zirconia (Z).

Methods: Thirteen groups (N = 12) of Z and M specimens were prepared. Except for the control group, the specimens were sandblasted with conditions involving different grit sizes (50 μm or 110 μm), treatment times (10 s or 20 s) and pressures (0.1 MPa, 0.3 MPa or 0.6 MPa). The surface morphology was analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the phase analysis was conducted with X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Ra and the shear bond strength (SBS) were measured and statistically analyzed, and the failure mode was determined by optical microscope.

Results: The surface morphologies were strongly dependent on treatment conditions. Larger particle size and higher pressure resulted in higher Ra for both materials. Longer blasting time resulted in higher Ra for Z but not M. Overall, the SBS increased with increasing Ra; the highest average SBS was achieved by M and exceeded 18 MPa. The monoclinic transformation was not found in any treatment for M, but was found in Z.

Conclusions: Z and M showed different dependence on the airborne-particle abrasion parameters in terms of Ra, SBS and phase transformation. The conditions for maximizing SBS included a 110 μm particle size and 20 s treatment for both, with pressures of 0.3 MPa and 0.6 MPa for the M and Z, respectively.

Keywords: Airborne-particle abrasion; Phase transformation; Shear bond strength; Surface roughness; Zirconia.