Enhancement of the Bonding Durability of Resin-based Cement to Lithium Disilicate Glass Ceramics Using Surface Modification Methods

The aim of the present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of several surface modification methods applied to lithium disilicate glass ceramics (LDCs) on their bonding durability with resin-based cement. The LDC specimens were sectioned using a low-speed diamond cutting machine, crystallized by heating in a furnace, and then subjected to several surface modification treatments such as acid etching, sandblasting, or silica coating with silane coupling agents. Then, a cylindrical titanium with a sandblasted surface was bonded to the surface-modified LDC specimens using resin-based cement. After being either stored in water at 37°C for 24h or subjected to 10,000 and/or 30,000 thermal cycles, the specimens were subjected to a shear bond strength test using a universal testing machine. The surface-modified LDC specimens obtained by combining blasting and silica coating modification treatments showed excellent durability, similar to that of acid-etched specimens. For safer laboratory practice, we recommend using the silica coating method for LDCs prior to applying silane coupling agents.