[Study on castable glass ceramics (Bioram-C)--surface treatment for enhanced bonding strength]

This study evaluated the tensile bonding strength of castable glass ceramics (Bioram-C) to three dental adhesive resin cements: Super-Bond C&B, Chemiace and Panavia EX. Treatments of the castable glass ceramic surfaces for enhanced bonding to the adhesive were examined. The surface treatments of the ceramics were sand blasting by 40 microns phi aluminum oxide and a silane coupling agent (KBM 503). Castable glass ceramics were cast and after surface treatment, bonded end-to-end and tested for tensile strength 24 hours later. Failures in the bonding were studied by a scanning electron microscope and wave dispersive X-ray Micro-analyzer. The findings were as follows: 1. Sand blasting by 40 microns phi aluminum oxide with Super-Bond C&B gave the highest mean bonding strength. 2. A significant difference (p less than 0.01) was observed between the surface treatment with the silane coupling agent and 40 microns phi aluminum oxide. The silane coupling agent employed in this study had a significant by higher average bonding strength. In examining the specimens, cohesive failure was observed in 70% of Super-Bond C&B and 50% of both Chemiace and Panavia EX bondings. 3. There were no significant difference between the three adhesives with the silane coupling agent.