Effect of surface treatment on fatigue behaviour between Tetric Ceram inlays and Variolink luting composite

The effect of pre-treatment of composite inlays on bonding performance between a resin composite inlay and a luting composite has not been fully studied. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of three different pre-treatment modes on fatigue bond strength and marginal adaptation. One hundred twenty resin composite discs (Tetric Ceram) were made as simulated inlays and randomly assigned to four groups (n=30): Without treatment (WT), hydrofluoric acid etching for 15 s + silanating (HF), roughening with a silicon carbide bur (SC), and silica coating + silanating (CO). Luting composite cylinders (Variolink II low) were bonded to the discs using Heliobond, and after 24 h in water at 37 degrees C, quasistatic shear bond strengths (n=l) and fatigue bond strengths (n=20; 5,000 cycles) were measured. Thirty-two third molars received occlusomesial Class II cavities (n=8), and direct resin composite inlays were luted with identical methods and materials. Before and after thermomechanical loading (100,000x50 N, 2,500 x +5 degrees C/+55 degrees C), replicas were made and examined (SEM, x200). CO and SC exhibited significantly higher bond strengths and adhesive fatigue limits than HF and WT (P<0.05). After thermomechanical loading, CO (98% continuous margin) and SC (95% continuous margin) demonstrated that they provide significantly more fatigue resistance than HF (88%).