Short- and Long-Term Bond Strength Between Resin Cement and Glass-Ceramic Using a Silane-Containing Universal...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Dental Materials

Background:

• Dental restorations frequently utilize resin cements to bond glass-ceramic materials.
• The long-term durability of this bond is crucial for clinical success and depends on factors like water degradation.
• Silane coupling agents are commonly used to enhance adhesion between resin-based materials and silica-based ceramics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of different silane-containing solutions on the bond strength between resin cement and glass ceramic.
• To assess the bond durability after short-term (24 hours) and long-term (six months) water storage.
• To compare the efficacy of various silane treatments, including combined silane and adhesive systems.

Main Methods:

• Glass-ceramic (IPS e.max CAD) substrates were treated with hydrofluoric acid and then subjected to five different silane treatments, including controls.
• Resin cement (RelyX Ultimate) was bonded to the treated substrates.
• Microshear bond strength testing was performed after 24 hours and six months of water storage.
• Failure modes were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, and data were statistically analyzed.

Main Results:

• All silane treatments showed a statistically significant decrease in bond strength after six months, except for RelyX Ceramic Primer and Single Bond Plus (RCP+SB) and Scotchbond Universal (SBU), which remained relatively constant.
• Weibull analysis indicated that SBU and RCP+SB provided more reliable bond strengths after six months.
• Scanning electron microscopy revealed hydrolytic degradation in all groups, but less pronounced in the SBU and RCP+SB groups.

Conclusions:

• The combined application of a silane agent and an adhesive system (SBU or RCP+SB) enhances both short-term and long-term bond strength between resin cement and glass ceramic.
• These combined treatments offer superior resistance to hydrolytic degradation compared to single-component silane primers.
• Clinicians should consider using combined silane and adhesive systems for improved durability of ceramic restorations.