Influence of different surface treatments and universal adhesives on the repair of CAD-CAM composite resins: An in vitro study

Abstract

Statement of problem: The repairability of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) composite resins might be adversely affected by the high degree of matrix polymerization that occurs during their manufacturing process. However, information on their repairability is lacking.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microtensile bond strength of CAD-CAM composite resins subjected to simulated repair procedures by using varying surface treatments and universal adhesives.

Material and methods: Four different CAD-CAM blocks (Brilliant Crios, Lava Ultimate, Shofu Block HC, and Vita Enamic) were thermocycled (5000 times, 5/55 °C) and divided into 4 groups according to the surface treatment: control, 9% hydrofluoric acid etching, aluminum oxide airborne-particle abrasion, and tribochemical silica airborne-particle abrasion. After surface treatments, the surface roughness was measured with a nanoindenter and further examined with scanning electron microscopy. After the application of 3 different universal adhesives (Clearfil Universal Bond, Prime&Bond Universal, and Single Bond Universal), the specimens were subjected to a simulated repair process with composite resin. Bonded specimens were cut into 1 mm² beams, and microtensile bond strength values were determined until failure at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The bond strength data were analyzed with 3-way analysis of variance, and surface roughness data were analyzed with 2-way analysis of variance tests. Pairwise analyses were performed with the Tukey test (α=.05).

Results: All surface treatments effectively improved repair microtensile bond strength values compared with the control (P<.05). Aluminum oxide airborne-particle abrasion had similar mean bond strength values compared with tribochemical silica airborne-particle abrasion (P>.05). Among the CAD-CAM blocks treated with hydrofluoric acid etching, Vita Enamic had the highest mean bond strength values. The highest mean microtensile bond strength repair values with the highest cohesive failure rates were found with the silane-containing universal adhesive (Single Bond Universal).

Conclusions: Surface treatment with aluminum oxide airborne-particle abrasion and tribochemical silica airborne-particle abrasion produced successful repair results for aged resin nanoceramics, whereas hydrofluoric acid etching can be used for aged hybrid ceramic repair. Silane-containing universal adhesive reported increased bond strength. Application of universal adhesive after surface treatment is recommended to increase repair strength.