Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the bond strength between tooth-colored porcelain and sandblasted zirconia framework.
Methods: The surfaces of zirconia specimens that had been cut into a size suitable for a bending test were sandblasted at three different pressures (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6MPa). The surface roughness of each specimen was measured and then a 3-point bending test was performed. After that, other zirconia specimens simulating a crown framework were fabricated and their surfaces were sandblasted. Three types of tooth-colored porcelain were fired onto the surface of those zirconia specimens, and the tensile bond strength between the two substances was examined.
Results: When the sandblasting pressure was increased, the surface roughness of zirconia specimens tended to become, but the flexural strength remained unchanged. The specimens simulating a zirconia framework had a higher strength of bond when sandblasted at 0.4 or 0.6MPa than when blasted at 0.2MPa. The zirconia specimens sandblasted at a pressure of 0.4MPa had a bond strength to tooth-colored porcelain of 37.7-49.5MPa.
Conclusion: When sandblasted at a pressure of 0.4MPa, the zirconia specimens developed a strong bond with the tooth-colored porcelain, regardless of the type of porcelain.