Effect of Argon Plasma Surface Treatment on Repair of Resin Composite Aged Two Years

To evaluate the effect of argon plasma treatment (PLA) when combined with sandblasting (SAN), silanization (SIL), and hydrophobic bonding resin (HBR) on the shear bond strength (SBS) of a two-year water-aged resin composite bonded to a newly placed composite after 24 hours and one year of water-storage.

Thirty-six light-cured composite plates (20mm x 20mm x 4mm thick) were obtained and stored at 37°C in distilled water for 2 years. These aged plates were distributed into 6 groups (n=6) according to the surface treatment: no treatment (Negative Control); SAN+SIL+HBR (Positive Control); SAN+PLA+SIL+HBR; PLA+ SIL+HBR; PLA+SIL; PLA+HBR. Fresh resin composite cylinders were built up using silicone molds (hole: 1.5 mm high x 1.5 mm diameter) positioned over the aged plates. Half of the SBS samples were stored in distilled water for 24 hours and loaded until failure, while the other half were stored for 1 year before being tested. Data were submitted to two-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey Test (preset alpha of 0.05).

Positive Control, SAN+PLA+SIL+HBR and PLA+SIL+HBR groups presented higher SBS means at the 24 hour evaluation. After 1 year of water storage, all groups demonstrated significant SBS reduction, with the SAN+PLA+SIL+HBR group presenting the highest SBS.

Resin plasma treatment in combination with other surface treatments can improve the SBS of composite repairs after one year of water storage. The SBS of the composite repair was not stable over time regardless of the surface treatment.