Bonding of Resin Cement to Zirconia with (1)

Objectives: To investigate the effect of air-drying pressure during ceramic primer coating on zirconia/resin bonding and the surface characteristics of the primed zirconia. Methods: Two ceramic primers (Clearfil Ceramic Primer, CCP, Kuraray Medical Inc. and Z-Prime Plus, ZPP, Bisco Inc.) were applied on the surface of air-abraded zirconia (Katana zirconia, Noritake) and dried at 4 different air pressures (0.1–0.4 MPa). The primed zirconia ceramic specimens were bonded with a resin-based luting agent (SA Luting Cement, Kuraray). Micro-shear bond strengths of the bonded specimens were tested after 3 days of water storage or 5,0006 thermocycling (n = 12). Failure modes of the fractured specimens were examined with scanning electron microscopy. The effects of air pressure on the thickness of the primer layers and the surface roughness (S a) of primed zirconia were evaluated using spectroscopic ellipsometry (n = 6), optical profilometry and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) (n = 6), respectively. Results: Clearfil Ceramic Primer air-dried at 0.3 and 0.4 MPa, yielding significantly higher mSBS than gentle air-drying subgroups (p<0.05). Compared to vigorous drying conditions, Z-Prime Plus air-dried at 0.2 MPa exhibited significantly higher mSBS (p<0.05). Increasing air-drying pressure reduced the film thickness for both primers. Profilometry measurements and ESEM showed rougher surfaces in the high-pressure subgroups of CCP and intermediate pressure subgroup of ZPP. Conclusion: Air-drying pressure influences resin/zirconia bond strength and durability significantly.