PURPOSEPlasma activation of hydrophobic zirconia surfaces might be suitable to improve the bond strength of luting materials. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of nonthermal argon-plasma on the shear bond strength (SBS) between zirconia and different combinations of 10-MDP adhesive systems and luting composites after artificial aging.MATERIALS AND METHODSTwo hundred forty Y-TZP specimens were ground automatically with 165 µm grit and water cooling. Half of the specimens received surface activation with nonthermal argon-plasma. The specimens were evenly distributed into three groups according to the adhesive systems ([Futurabond U, Futurabond M, Futurabond M + DCA], VOCO GmbH, Germany, Cuxhaven) and into further two subgroups according to the luting materials ([Bifix SE, Bifix QM], VOCO GmbH). Each specimen underwent artificial aging by thermocycling and water storage. SBS was measured in a universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Scheffè procedure with the level of significance set to 0.05.RESULTSSurface activation with nonthermal plasma did not improve the bond strength between zirconia and the tested combinations of adhesive systems and luting materials. The plasma-activation trended to reveal higher bond strength if the self-etch luting material (Bifix SE) was used, irrespective of the adhesive system.CONCLUSIONPlasma-activation seems to be suitable to improve bond strength between zirconia and self-etch resin materials. However, further research is necessary to identify the influence of varying plasma-parameters.