The effect of different ceramic surface treatments on the repair bond strength of resin composite to lithium disilicate ceramic

This study aimed to evaluate the bonding abilities and long-term durability of different repair agents when applied to lithium disilicate ceramics (LDS). Blocks of IPS e.max CAD were prepared and divided into four groups according to the surface treatment: Monobond Etch & Prime (ME), K-etchant GEL+Clearfil Universal Bond (UB), Bondmer Lightless (BL), and K-etchant GEL+G-Multi Primer (GMP). All treated ceramic specimens were bonded to resin composite and light-cured. The micro-shear bond strength was measured after 24 h of water storage or 5,000 thermocycles. ME and BL showed significantly higher initial bond strengths than UB and GMP (p<0.05). After 5,000 thermocycles, there was no significant difference in ME (p>0.05), but BL and GMP showed considerable reduction in bond strength (p<0.05); moreover, the samples of UB were all de-bonded before testing. ME and BL proved to be effective surface treatment materials for LDS.