Physicochemical Properties and Microshear Bond Strength of Experimental Self-adhesive Resin Cements to Dentin or Yttria-stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal

Purpose: To determine the degree of conversion (DC), physicochemical properties, and microshear bond strength (µSBS) of experimental self-adhesive resin cements (SARCs) to dentin and yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) ceramic. Materials and Methods: Dual-curing cements were formulated with UDMA, HEMA, bis-GMA, and TEG-DMA as the organic matrix. 2MP (bis 2-(methacryloyloxy)-ethyl-phosphate) and GDMAP (1,3-glycerol dimethacrylate phosphate) were added to impart self-adhesive characteristics. A control group was formulated without self-etch methacrylates. Silanized particles were incorporated. Photoactivation was carried out using an LED light-curing unit (1200 mW/cm²) for 20 s. Infrared spectroscopy assessed the DC immediately and after 24 h. pH was analyzed in real time and recorded after 48 h. Water sorption (W_sp), water solubility (W_sl), and film thickness measurements followed ISO 4049. µSBS of the cements to dentin and Y-TZP was evaluated immediately and after 3 months of water storage. Y-TZP was also tested without a surface treatment and after tribochemical silica coating with subsequent application of a silane agent. The fractures patterns were classified as adhesive, cohesive, and mixed. Data were submitted to analyses of variance and Tukey's tests (α = 0.05). Results: Control (91.7%) and 2MP (92.0%) groups generated the highest DC after 24 h. 2MP (pH = 3.6) showed the lowest pH followed by GDMAP (pH = 4.7) and control (pH = 6.4) after 48 h. The control cement exhibited lower W_sp (41.0 µg/mm³) and W_sl (4.3 µg/mm³) than the other groups. Film thickness was statistically similar (p = 0.266) for all cements. Control (27.0 MPa) and GDMAP (24.1 MPa) showed higher µSBS to dentin than 2MP (13.7 MPa) after water storage. Mixed fractures were predominant in dentin. For all cements, the µSBS to Y-TZP was 3.0 MPa after water storage, independent of the surface treatment. Conclusion: The results of DC, pH, Wsp and Wsl were material dependent. Only the film thickness was statistically similar for all groups. The cement formulated with GDMAP maintained the bond strengths to dentin even after aging. However, none of the groups were able to generate satisfactory bond strength to Y-TZP, independent of the surface treatment. Palabras clave: self-adhesive resin cement, adhesion in dentistry, microshear bond test, hydrolytic stability, zirconia