[Material testing for the use of titanium in bonded prosthodontic restorations]

The effects of chemically etching cast pure titanium to achieve a microretentive surface morphology were studied by SEM. Etching failed to produce an effective improvement of the retentive structures compared to air brushing with Al2 O3 of 50 microns grain size. The bond strength values of the Silicoater-treated retentive surfaces of titanium and Wiron 88 (bonding agent Comspan) determined by shear tests were considerably higher than those of the air-brushed or chemically etched surfaces (bonding agents Comspan, ABC-Zement, Superbond). The clinical use of the Silicoater procedure in bonded restorations seems to provide a suitable retentive mechanism for titanium frameworks.