Objectives: To evaluate and compare bond strengths of different primers and resin cements to silica-based and zirconia ceramics.
Methods: Silica-based and zirconia ceramic specimens were ground flat with #600-grit SiC paper. The ceramic surfaces were airborne-particle abraded and then divided into 11 groups of seven each: untreated (control); and conditioned with one of the six primers in combination with a resin cement from the same manufacturer as follows: Bistite II/Tokuso Ceramic Primer, Linkmax/GC Ceramic Primer, RelyX ARC/RelyX Ceramic Primer, Panavia F 2.0/Clearfil Ceramic Primer, and Resicem/Shofu Porcelain Primer and Resicem/AZ Primer. Stainless steel rods were bonded to the ceramic surfaces using one of the five resin cements. After 24-h water storage, the tensile bond strengths were tested using a universal testing machine and failure modes were examined.
Results: Conditioning with primers containing a silane coupling agent (all the primers except AZ Primer) significantly enhanced bond strengths of resin cements to silica-based ceramic. For zirconia ceramic, Resicem/AZ Primer exhibited significantly higher bond strength than the other groups except Panavia F 2.0/Clearfil Ceramic Primer. The predominant failure mode of the groups conditioned with primers containing a phosphonic acid monomer (AZ Primer) or a phosphate ester monomer (Clearfil Ceramic Primer and Tokuso Ceramic Primer) was cohesive failure in cements whereas that with the other primers was adhesive failure at the zirconia surfaces.
Significance: The use of primers containing a silane coupling agent improved resin bonding to silica-based ceramic. On the other hand, the use of primers containing a phosphonic acid monomer or a phosphate ester monomer improved resin bonding to zirconia ceramic.
2010 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.