Effect of Dentin and Zirconia Surface Treatments with Laser Irradiation Versus Sandblasting on the Bonding Ability of Zirconia

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of laser irradiation applied to zirconia and tooth surfaces on shear bond strength (SBS) compared with acid etching and sandblasting. Background: The effect of laser irradiation on the bond strength between zirconia and adhesives is a controversial issue for dentin surface treatments. In addition, the effects of different combinations of surface treatments to increase adhesion on both the zirconia and dentin surfaces remain unclear. Materials and methods: A total of 90 tooth samples were assigned into groups according to various pretreatments: control group was left untreated, acid etching, and Erbium, Chromium:Yttrium Scandium Gallium Garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser irradiation group (15 Hz, 2 W). In addition, the zirconia specimens were separated into three groups (n = 10) according to the different surface treatments performed: sandblasting (120 μm Al2O3), Er,Cr:YSGG laser (15 Hz, 2 W), and as untreated surface. The zirconia samples were cemented to the dentin surface using dual-cure resin cement and subjected to an SBS test at a speed of 0.5 mm/min under a universal testing machine until fractures occurred in the bonding surface. Results: The highest SBS values were observed in Group tooth acid (TA)-zirconia Er,Cr:YSGG laser (ZL), followed by Group tooth Er,Cr:YSGG laser (TL)-zirconia sandblasting (ZS) and Group TA-zirconia control (ZC). The lowest SBS values were found in Group TA-ZS. Significant intergroup difference was noted between Group TA-ZL, Group tooth control (TC)-ZC, Group TL-ZS, and Group TC-ZC. However, no significant difference was noted between Group TA-ZL, Group TL-ZS, and Group TA-ZC. Conclusions: Acid etching and laser treatments applied to the dentin and zirconia surfaces were found to be effective techniques for improving the zirconia-dentin bond, respectively. Clinical Trial Registration number: 33216249-604.01.02-E.24308. © Copyright 2023, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2023.