Bond strengths of the lost salt procedure: a new retention method for resin-bonded fixed prostheses

Shear bond tests were described for a new lost salt procedure for developing retention to the metal framework for a resin-bonded fixed partial denture. It was found that different salt crystal sizes influence the bond strength. The salt crystal size range of 150 micron to 250 micron was significantly stronger than the smaller and larger size ranges tested. This size range produced a surface more easily evaluated visually than an etched metal surface for retention. The bond failure observed was a fracture of the bonding resin and not an adhesive pulling our of the resin from the cubic surface voids.