Influence of Surface Conditioning Protocols on Reparability of CAD/CAM Zirconia-reinforced Lithium Silicate Ceramic.

PURPOSE: To test the effect of surface conditioning protocols on the reparability of CAD/CAM zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic compared to lithium-disilicate glass ceramic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramic (Vita Suprinity) and lithium disilicate glass-ceramic blocks (IPS e.max CAD) were categorized into four groups based on the surface conditioning protocol used. Group C: no treatment (control); group HF: 5% hydrofluoric acid etching for 60 s, silane (Monobond-S) application for 60 s, air drying; group HF-H: 5% HF acid etching for 60 s, application of silane for 60 s, air drying, application of Heliobond, light curing for 20 s; group CO: sandblasting with CoJet sand followed by silanization. Composite resin (Tetric EvoCeram) was built up into 4 x 6 x 3 mm blocks using teflon molds. All specimens were subjected to thermocycling (5000x, 5°C to 55°C). The microtensile bond strength test was employed at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. SEM was employed for evaluation of all the debonded microbars, the failure type was categorized as either adhesive (failure at adhesive layer), cohesive (failure at ceramic or composite resin), or mixed (failure between adhesive layer and substrate). Two-way ANOVA and the Tukey's HSD post-hoc test were applied to test for significant differences in bond strength values in relation to different materials and surface pretreatment (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The highest microtensile repair bond strength for Vita Suprinity was reported in group CO (33.1 ± 2.4 MPa) and the lowest in group HF (27.4 ± 4.4 MPa). Regarding IPS e.max CAD, group CO showed the highest (30.5 ± 4.9 MPa) and HF the lowest microtensile bond strength (22.4 ± 5.7 MPa). Groups HF, HF-H, and CO showed statistically significant differences in terms of all ceramic types used (p < 0.05). The control group showed exclusively adhesive failures, while in HF, HF-H, and CO groups, mixed failures were predominant. CONCLUSIONS: Repair bond strength to zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate ceramics and lithium-disilicate glass ceramic could be improved when ceramic surfaces are sandblasted with CoJet sand followed by silanization.

Effect of non-ionizing radio frequency signals of magnetic resonance imaging on physical properties of dental alloys and metal-ceramic adhesion.

PURPOSE: To assess the influence of non-ionizing radio frequency signals of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on physical properties of dental alloys and metal-ceramic adhesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 disk-shaped wax patterns (10 mm x 10 mm x 1 mm) were cast in a base metal alloy (Ni-Cr alloy) and commercially pure titanium (Ti) following the manufacturing recommendation. After casting, air abrasion and ultrasonic cleaning, feldspathic ceramic was applied and fired according to manufacturer's instructions using a standard mold. The specimens were subjected to 3000 thermocycles in distilled water between 5°C and 55°C, then veneered alloy specimens were randomly assigned to three groups according to MRI exposure time: a) 15 min of MRI exposure, b) 30 min of MRI exposure and c) no MRI exposure (control group). The specimens were subjected to shear loading until failure. A separate set of Ni-Cr and Ti specimens were prepared, and after exposure to MRI for 15 and 30 min, x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, surface roughness, and Vicker's hardness were measured. RESULTS: Both the alloy type (p < 0.005) and exposure duration (p < 0.005) had a significant effect on the bond results. While the control group presented the highest bond strength for Ni-Cr and Ti (36.9 ± 1.4 and 21.5 ± 1.6 MPa, respectively), 30 min MRI exposure significantly decreased the bond strength for both alloys (29.4 ± 1.5 and 12.8 ± 1.5 MPa, respectively) (p < 0.05). XRD analysis indicated formation of the crystalline phase as well as change in crystal size and position for Ni-Cr and Ti after MRI. Compared to the control group where alloys were not exposed to MRI (Ni-Cr: 0.40 µm; Ti: 0.17 µm), surface roughness increased (Ni-Cr: 0.54 µm; Ti: 1.1 µm). Vicker's hardness of both alloys decreased after 30 min MRI (Ni-Cr: 329.5; Ti: 216.1) compared to the control group c (Ni-Cr: 356.1; Ti: 662.1), being more significant for Ti (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Ni-Cr alloy is recommended over Ti for the fabrication of metal-ceramic restorations for patients with a history of frequent exposure to MRI.