Abstract
The effect of two-step and one-step ceramic surface conditioning/priming, and subjecting to exposure with boiling water on adhesion strength of resin cements was evaluated. Rectangular shaped specimens were cut from CAD blocks of E-max (Ivoclar Vivadent) and Mark II (VITA Zahnfabrik) and randomly assigned to two main study groups. Group one specimens' surfaces were conditioned using the two-step conditioning/priming procedure and group two specimens were treated using the one-step conditioning/priming system. After treating, 3mm thick resin cement layer was applied onto the surface using a split stainless steel mold. Each group was further divided into four subgroups (n=10) depending on type of resin cement applied and subjecting to exposure in boiling water. Adhesion strength of all the specimens was measured using the universal material testing machine, results were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis at a significance level of p<0.05. Adhesive resin showed higher values of 22.05 and 18.65MPa with E-max and Mark II respectively, and resin composites showed 18.13 and 15.13MPa with E-max and Mark II respectively, when two-step conditioning system was employed. Majority of the adhesive resin specimens showed cohesive failure in cement. Subjecting the specimens to exposure in boiling water for 24h not only showed adhesive failure but also significantly reduced adhesion strength of adhesive resin and resin composite. The significance of the study is that, the traditional two-step ceramic surface conditioning is more effective than the one-step conditioning and unfilled adhesive resin provides better adhesion strength.