Effects of Sol-gel Processed Silica Coating on Bond Strength of Resin Cements to Glass-Infiltrated Alumina Ceramic

Purpose: The aim of this study was to verify the effects of sol-gel processed silica coating on the bond strength between resin cement and glass-infiltrated aluminum oxide ceramic. Materials and Methods: Silica coatings were prepared on glass-infiltrated aluminum oxide ceramic surface via the sol-gel process. Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Fourier Transmission Infrared spectrum (FTIR), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) were used for coating characterization. Forty-eight blocks of glass-infiltrated aluminum oxide ceramic were fabricated. The ceramic surfaces were polished following sandblasting. Three groups of specimens (16 for each group) with different surface treatment were prepared. Group P: no treatment; group PO: treated with silane solution; group PTO: silica coating via sol-gel process, followed by silane application. Composite cylinders were luted with resin cement to the test specimens. Half of the specimens in each group were stored in distilled water for 24 h and the other half were stored in distilled water for 30 days before shear loading in a universal testing machine until failure. Selected ceramic surfaces were analyzed to identify the failure mode using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: Nanostructured silica coatings were prepared on glass-infiltrated aluminum oxide ceramic surfaces by the sol-gel process. The silicon element on the ceramic surface increased significantly after the coating process. The mean shear bond strength values (standard deviation) before artificial aging were: group P: 1.882 ± 0.156 MPa; group PO: 2.177 ± 0.226MPa; group PTO: 3.574 ± 0.671 MPa. Statistically significant differences existed between group PTO and group P, and group PTO and groups PO. The failure mode for group P and group PO was adhesive, while group PTO was mixed. The mean shear bond strength values (standard deviation) after artificial aging were: group P: 1.594 ± 0.111 MPa; group PO: 2.120 ± 0.339 MPa; group PTO: 2.955 ± 0.113 MPa. Statistically significant differences existed between each two groups after artificial aging, group P had the lowest bond durability, and group PTO had the highest bond durability. Conclusion: The sol-gel process is an effective way to prepare silica coating on dental glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic. Sol-gel processed silica coating can improve the resin bond strength of glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic. Keywords: bond, alumina ceramics, silica coating, sol-gel