Surface Energy of Etched Ceramic

Purpose: In a previous article the authors examined the evolution of the bond strengths of 2 dental feldspathic ceramics. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of surface modifications with hydrofluoric acid gel (concentration 10%) on the surface energy of 2 dental feldspathic ceramics (GC and PVS). Materials and Methods: For an energy characterization, 30 samples of GC and 30 samples of PVS were built. This study comprised the measurement of contact angles to determine the work of adhesion (WA) of the 2 ceramics. The evolution of the work of adhesion depended on the action of the hydrofluoric acid gel on the roughness of the surface of the 2 ceramics. Results: In a polished state PVS presented a higher work of adhesion than GC. Etching the ceramics with hydrofluoric acid gel increased the work of adhesion, especially for GC, but this treatment was not sufficient to obtain a high work of adhesion. Conclusion: Etching with hydrofluoric acid gel was not sufficient to raise the work of adhesion of the 2 ceramics. Silanization is preferable to etching.