The effect of different surface treatments on repair with composite resin of ceramic

This study evaluated the effect of Er, Cr: YSGG laser irradiation at different powers on repair bond strength (RBS) between ceramic restoration and composite resin (CR).

Sixty ceramic samples were prepared and thermocycled for 2,500 cycles between 5°C and 55°C. Samples randomly divided into six groups (n = 10) according to the different surface treatment: control group (no surface treatment), 9.6% hydrofluoric acid etching, 37% phosphoric acid etching, and irradiations with Er, Cr: YSGG lasers (1 to 3W). The Cimara System was applied to all samples surface according to the manufacturer's instructions. CR resin was built-up on each ceramic surface using a tygon tube. The RBS test was performed at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min, and one sample of each group was also observed under SEM and EDS was used to measure the elemental profiles of each specimen. Data was analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test.

The lowest RBS was recorded in Group OF, and the highest RBS was recorded in Group HF, followed by Group 3W. There was no statistical difference between Group Control, 1W and 2W. Furthermore, differences in RBSs between Group 3W and the other groups except Group 2W were significant (P < 0.05). In EDS analysis, there are evident differences between surface treated samples and controls.

3W laser irradiation may be an alternative method to acid etching for enhancing the RBS of CR to ceramic.