Improvement in the tensile bond strength between 3Y-TZP ceramic and enamel by surface treatments

This study examined the effects of 3 mol % yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) ceramic surface treatments on the tensile bond strength and surface characteristics of enamel. To measure the tensile bond strength, the 3Y-TZP and tooth specimens were manufactured in a mini-dumbbell shape and divided into four groups based on the type of 3Y-TZP surface treatment: polishing (P), 110 μm alumina sandblasting (S), 110 μm alumina sandblasting combined with selective infiltration etching (SS), and 110 μm alumina sandblasting combined with MDP (10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate)-containing silane primer (SP). After surface treatment, the surface roughness, wettability, and surface changes were examined, and the tensile bond strength was measured. The mean values (from lowest to highest) for tensile bond strength (MPa) were as follows: P, 8.94 ± 2.30; S, 21.33 ± 2.00; SS, 26.67 ± 4.76; and SP, 31.74 ± 2.66. Compared to the P group, the mean surface roughness was significantly increased, and the mean contact angle was significantly decreased, while wettability was increased in the other groups. Therefore, surface treatment with 110 μm alumina sandblasting and MDP-containing silane primer is suitable for clinical applications, as it considerably improves the bond strength between 3Y-TZP and enamel.