The surface morphology and crystal structure change of dental zirconia after hydrofluoric acid (HF) etching were evaluated. Four groups of sintered zirconia specimens were 1) control group, 2) immersion in 9.5%HF at 25 o C for 1, 2, 3, or 24 h, 3) immersion in 9.5%HF at 80o C for 1, 3, 5, or 30 min and 4) immersion in 48%HF at 25 o C for 30 or 60 min. The specimens were evaluated under SEM and XRD. The SEM analysis revealed changes in surface topography for all the HF-etched zirconia specimens. The irregularities surface increased with increasingly longer immersion times and higher etching solution temperatures. The XRD analysis of the HFetched zirconia specimens revealed the presence of a crystalline monoclinic phase along with a tetragonal form. It was concluded HF can etch dental zirconia ceramic, creating micro-morphological changes. Tetragonal-to-monoclinic phase transformation was induced on the etched zirconia surface.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of neutralizing agents on the shear bond strength of hydrofluoric (HF)–etched porcelain in nonaging and aging conditions. Subjects and Methods One hundred and twenty feldspathic porcelain specimens were prepared and divided into six groups to undergo different surface conditioning methods—group 1: control; group 2: HF; group 3: HF + calcium hydroxide; group 4: HF + calcium carbonate; group 5: HF + calcium gluconate; and group 6: HF + ultrasonic. All samples were immersed in 37°C distilled water for 24 h. Half of the samples were thermocycled in water for 5,000 cycles. The shear bond strength test was performed using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Data were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test at a 95% confidence level. The surface micromorphology and surface elements were analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), respectively. Results The shear bond strengths of groups 2–6 were significantly higher than the control group in both aging and nonaging conditions (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences among all of the HF-etched porcelain groups (p > 0.05). SEM images of groups 2–6 illustrated similar patterns of irregularity on the specimen surfaces. Elemental analysis of EDX demonstrated identical elements on surfaces of specimens of groups 2–6. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, shear bond strength values between HF-etched porcelain, HF-etching followed by application of neutralizing agents, and HF-etching followed by ultrasonic cleaning were not significantly different in both nonaging and aging conditions.

Occasional chipping can still occur with zirconia material despite its high strength. Emergency repairs can be accomplished using zirconia primer, adhesive agent, and resin composite when the fracture of zirconia exposes the zirconia framework. Phosphate-containing primers play an important role in zirconia surface treatment. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of multiple applications of phosphate-containing primer on shear bond strength between zirconia and resin composite. In this case, 78 zirconia discs were sandblasted by alumina particles; the zirconia was then randomized into six groups for single application and multiple applications of phosphate-containing primer according follows; group 1: no application, group 2: one application, group 3: two applications, group 4: three applications, group 5: four applications, and group 6: five applications. Adhesive was applied on the zirconia surface and the resin composite was bonded. Shear bond strength was assessed using a universal testing machine. The de-bonded surface was examined using a stereomicroscope. The shear bond strengths were statistically analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni. Group 1 had the lowest shear bond strength with a significant difference compared to groups 2–6, whereas group 4 had the highest shear bond strength, with no significant difference compared to groups 5–6. The failure mode revealed 100% adhesive failure in all groups. In conclusion, to maximize shear bond strength at zirconia and resin composite interfaces, sandblasted zirconia surfaces should be treated with three applications of phosphate-containing primer prior to the adhesive agent.

The aim of this study was to specifically explore the effects of morpholine on chemical surface treatments of aged resin composites contaminated with saliva to new resin composite repair strength. One hundred and thirty five resin composite specimens were fabricated and thermocycled to replicate an aged resin composite. These aged resin composites were randomly separated into nine groups (n = 15) depending on the various surface contaminants and surface treatment techniques. These groups were as follows: group 1—no surface treatment; group 2—no saliva + adhesive agent; group 3—no saliva + morpholine + adhesive agent; group 4—no saliva + morpholine; group 5—saliva; group 6—saliva + adhesive agent; group 7—saliva + morpholine + adhesive agent; group 8—saliva + morpholine; and group 9—saliva + phosphoric acid + adhesive agent. A mold was covered on the top of the specimen center and then filled with resin composite. The shear bond strengths and failure modes were examined. The collected data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA, and the significance level was determined using Tukey’s test. Group 5 (3.31 ± 0.95 MPa) and group 6 (4.05 ± 0.93 MPa) showed the lowest bond strength statistically, while group 3 (23.66 ± 1.35 MPa) and group 7 (22.88 ± 1.96 MPa) showed the most significantly high bond strength. The bond strength in group 2 (16.41 ± 1.22 MPa) was significantly different from that in group 1 (9.83 ± 1.13 MPa), group 4 (10.71 ± 0.81 MPa), and group 8 (10.36 ± 1.53 MPa), while group 9’s (17.31 ± 1.48 MPa) SBS was not significantly different. In conclusion, the application of morpholine on aged resin composite with or without contamination with saliva prior to the application of the adhesive agent increased the bond strength of aged resin composite repaired with new resin composite (p < 0.05).

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