Effect of different treatments of highly translucent zirconia on the bonding strength between zirconia and veneering porcelain

To evaluate the effect of different surface treatments on the bonding strength between highly translucent zirconia and veneering porcelain and to provide a research basis for improving the zirconium porcelain bond strength between zirconium and ceramic material.

Thirty cylindrical zirconia blocks with 10-mm diameter and 10-mm height were prepared and divided into four groups (n＝7), labeled as control group (C), sandblasting group (S), bonding group (B), and sandblasting and bonding group (SB). The surface morphology of zirconia before and after sandblasting was observed in the remaining two specimens. Group C was veneered (2 mm in height and 5 mm in diameter) with porcelain powder by layering after grinding. Group S was sandblasted after grinding. Group B was veneered with a thin layer of porcelain powder as bond coating. Group SB was sandblasted and veneered with a thin layer of porcelain powder. After sintering, the shear specimens were embedded, and a shear bond strength test was conducted. Statistical analysis was conducted to analyze the data. Fracture surface analysis was also performed to determine the failure modes by stereomicroscopy.

The bonding strength of group C was 21.86 ± 3.18 MPa. For group S, it was 22.12 ± 3.06 MPa. For group B, it was 19.19 ± 1.46 MPa. Finally, for group SB, it was 27.76 ± 1.95 MPa. There was no significant difference in shear strength between group C, group S and group B. There was a significant difference in shear strength between each group and group SB (P < 0.05). Under a stereomicroscope, the observed fracture modes of each group were mainly mixed failure.

Sandblasting cannot significantly increase the bonding strength between zirconia and veneering porcelain. Veneering with a thin layer of porcelain powder as the bond coating has no obvious effect on the bonding strength. Sandblasting and veneering with a thin layer of porcelain powder as a bond coating can significantly improve the bonding strength between zirconia and veneering porcelain.