The effect of air-particle abrasion and a zirconia primer application on resin cement bonding strength to zirconia

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of surface treatments on the bond strength between a zirconia-based ceramic and two resin cements. METHODS: Eighty blocks (5.25×3.74×4.5 mm) of a zirconia-based ceramic were divided into eight groups (N.=10) according to the factors "surface treatment" (air-particle abrasion with Al2O3 or Al2O3/SiO2 and zirconia primer) and "cement" (conventional resin cement and self-adhesive resin cement). After the surface treatments, cylinders of each resin cement (O=3.5 mm, height: 3 mm) were built up on the zirconia surface and photo-activated (40 s). The samples were stored in water for 30 days at 37 °C, followed by shear bond strength test in a universal testing machine (1 mm/min). Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test (α=0.05). RESULTS: Regarding the surface treatments, all strategies were statistically different from each other. The Cojet achieved the higher bond strength values, followed by Signum Zirconia Bond. The resin cements were also statistically different from each other, since the U200 achieved higher bond strength values. The interaction between the factors was also significant. Most of the failures were adhesive and mixed. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the cement used, the air-particle abrasion with alumina coated by silica particles improved bond strength.