Evaluation of zirconia surfaces and shear bond strength after acid–etching with ultrasonic vibration

Abstract

Abstract To evaluate the effect of surface reaction process after hydrofluoric (HF) acid etching using ultrasound and the shear bond strength (SBS) of resin cement to zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) ceramic. Y-TZP ceramic sheets were divided into rinsing group (Group P), ultrasonic cleaning group (Group C), and ultrasonic reaction + rinsing group (Group CP), and all the groups were treated for 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min, respectively. The surface morphology, elements distribution, roughness, and wettability of the ceramic sheets in each group were observed. The SBS of ceramic-resin bonding specimens was tested after immersion and after cooling-heating cycles, respectively. Octahedral and spiculate products were observed on the surface of Y-TZP that was etched with HF acid in Group P. The amount of these products increased over time. In contrast, only a few octahedral products remained on the surface of Y-TZP in Groups C and CP. Within the same reaction time, the surface reaction of the CP group was stronger than that of the other two groups, accompanied by a more uniform morphology. The shear force in Group C was the lowest, and the shear force reduction in Group CP was the least after cooling-heating cycling, with statistically significant differences (P< 0.05). After the reaction time exceeded 30 min, the shear force in each group decreased instead of increasing. Octahedral and spiculate acid etching products on the surface of HF acid-etched Y-TZP can enhance the bonding force of zirconia. Ultrasonic cleaning would drive the exfoliation of acid etching products from the sample surface, leading to the decrease of the bonding force. The acid etching with ultrasonic vibration can accelerate the HF acid etching process of Y-TZP ceramics, which is conducive to improving the bond strength to resin and durability.