Effect of various lasers on the bond strength of two zirconia ceramics

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the effects of various laser systems on surface roughness and shear bond strengths of zirconia ceramics. Material and methods: Seventy-two ceramic discs (10 mmx2 mm) obtained from two sintered zirconia ceramics (Zirkonzahn, Zirkonzahn Prettau((R))) were divided into two groups (n=36) according to the computer-aided design (CAD)-computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) technique and then further divided into three groups (n=12). Each group was treated with one of the following: (1) femtosecond (FS), (2) Nd:YAG (NY), and (3) Er:YAG (EY) lasers. After laser irradiation, a scanning electron micrograph (SEM) was taken at 500x magnification for qualitative examination. Following surface roughness measurement by profilometry, resin cement (Rely X U200) was bonded to the ceramic specimens using Teflon tubes (3 mm height, 4 mm diameter). Specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 h and then thermal cycled for 5000 cycles. A shear bond strength (MPa) test was performed using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Data were analyzed by two way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey honest significant difference (HSD) tests for pairwise comparisons among groups (p=0.05). Results: MPa and roughness were significantly affected by laser type (p<0.001), and there was no significant interaction between the two zircon ceramics. The group irradiated with FS laser had significantly higher (p<0.05) roughness and MPa mean values than those of the other groups. No significant difference was found between the groups irradiated with NY and EY laser (p>0.05). In the SEM, the surfaces of the FS group were rougher than those of the NY and EY groups. NY and EY surfaces were nearly smooth. Conclusions: FS laser is an effective surface treatment for roughening surfaces of zirconia ceramics. Furthermore, it reveals the highest MPa.