Abstract
This laboratory study aimed to compare, contrast, and evaluate the effect of a novel dual surface modification method on the adhesion strength of resin composite cement to titanium. C.p.-2 grade titanium samples were silica-coated, etched with HNO3(69vol %) or a blend of HCl (35vol %) and H3PO4 (85vol %), for 1 h at 80 degrees C. Surface roughness was measured by surface roughness profilometry, topographic analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and surface analyses by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Silanization of all specimens was carried out after SEM, EDX, and AFM analysis, before enclosed mold microshear bond strength testing (EM-mu SBS). Adhesion strengths were measured after artificial ageing: 1 day, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks by EM-mu SBS testing and failure mode analysis by optical microscopy. Polished titanium was used as a control. The highest surface roughness was observed in titanium samples treated with silica-coating + HCl-H3PO4 etching. The elemental composition confirmed the presence of Ti, O, C, with Si and Al in samples treated with silica-coating. A gradual decrease in EM-mu SBS values was observed in all titanium samples with adhesive and cohesive failure modes. The novel dual surface modification method applied in this study suggests that silica-coating + HCl-H(3)PO(4)etching strongly affects titanium surface topography and roughness. The presence of Si on silica-coated surface modified titanium before silanization with an experimental silane has a positive effect on the EM-mu SBS of titanium samples treated with silica-coating only or silica-coating + HNO3 etching.