Christie Ying Kei Lung

Aspects of silane coupling agents and surface conditioning in dentistry: an overview.

OBJECTIVES To give an overview of aspects of silane coupling agents and surface conditioning in dentistry. METHODS Currently, silane coupling agents are used as adhesion promoters. Silanes are effective in enhancing adhesion between resin composite and silica-based ceramics. They do not bond effectively to non-silica based dental restorative materials. Surface conditioning of non-silica based ceramics with silica coating improves the bonding. This current overview will focus on the silane coupling agents: their properties, limitations in adhesion promotion and the clinical problems with the use of silanes. It will also focus on the current surface conditioning methods as well as new surface conditioning techniques to enhance the bonding through conventional silanization approaches. RESULTS Several surface conditioning methods are being used clinically to enhance the adhesion of resin composites to non-silica based restorative materials. Other approaches are under investigation. The clinical problem of using silanes in adhesion promotion is the bond degradation over time in oral environment. SIGNIFICANCE The current silane coupling agents are not ideal. The current silane coupling agents can fulfill the minimum requirements in clinical practice to enhance the bonding of resin composite to dental restorative materials. Developments of novel surface conditioning methods and silane coupling agents are required to address the bond durability problem.

Resin zirconia bonding promotion with some novel coupling agents.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate and compare three novel coupling agents: 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, itaconic acid and oleic acid to two silane coupling agents, one commercial silane product and 3-acryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane on the bond durability of resin composite to zirconia. METHODS Zirconia samples were silica-coated by air abrasion and each of the five coupling agents was then applied to give five test groups. Resin composite stubs were bonded onto the conditioned zirconia surfaces. The samples were stored: dry storage, 30 days in water and thermocycled to give a total of fifteen test groups. The shear bond strengths were determined using a universal testing machine and data analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD (p<0.05) with shear bond strength as dependent variable and storage condition and primers as independent variables. The bond formation of the five coupling agents to zirconia was examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). RESULTS Two-way ANOVA analysis showed that there was a significant difference for different primers (p<0.05) and different storage conditions (p<0.05) on the shear bond strength values measured. XPS analysis showed a shift in binding energy for O(1s) after priming with the five coupling agents which revealed different bond formations related to the functional groups of the coupling agents. SIGNIFICANCE The shear bond strength values measured for all coupling agents after water storage and thermocycling exceed the minimum shear bond strength value of 5MPa set by ISO. The silane coupling agent, 3-acryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, showed the highest bond strength of the three storage conditions.

Effect of silanization of hydroxyapatite fillers on physical and mechanical properties of a bis-GMA based resin composite

To evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of an experimental bis-GMA-based resin composite incorporated with non-silanized and silanized nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP) fillers. Experimental bis-GMA based resin composites samples which were reinforced with nHAP fillers were prepared. Filler particles were surface treated with a silane coupling agent. Five test groups were prepared: 1. Unfilled, 2. Reinforced with 10wt% and 30wt% non-silanized nHAP fillers, and 3. Reinforced with 10wt% and 30wt% silanized nHAP fillers. The samples were subjected to tests in dry condition and in deionized water, aged at 37°C for 30 days. Prepared silanized and non-silanized nHAP were analyzed with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The micro-hardness and water sorption were evaluated. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA (p<0.05). The samples were characterized by FTIR Spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The surface morphology of sample surfaces was examined by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results showed that the water sorption for nHAP fillers reinforced resins was significantly lower than unfilled resins. Surface hardness for resins reinforced with silane treated fillers was superior to unfilled and untreated fillers resins. The resin matrix loaded with 30wt% silanized-nHAP fillers would improve the physical and mechanical properties of a bis-GMA based resin.

Shear bond strength between resin and zirconia with two different silane blends

Abstract Objective. To study in vitro the effect of two cross-linking silanes, bis-1,2-(triethoxysilyl)ethane and bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]amine, blended with an organofunctional silane coupling agent, (3-acryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, on the shear bond strength between resin-composite cement and silicatized zirconia after dry storage and thermocycling. Materials and methods. Six tested groups of 90 samples of yttria stabilized zirconia were used for sample preparation. The surfaces of the zirconia were silica-coated. 3M ESPE Sil silane was used as a control. Solutions of (3-acryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane with cross-linking silanes bis-1,2-(triethoxysilyl)ethane and bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]amine were applied onto the surface of silicatized zirconia. 3M ESPE RelyX resin-composite cement was bonded onto the silicatized and silanized zirconia surface and light-cured. Three groups were tested under dry condition and the other three groups were tested for thermocycling. The shear bond strength was measured using a materials testing instrument. Group mean shear bond strengths were analysed by ANOVA at a significant level of p < 0.05. The zirconia surface composition was analysed by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Results. The highest shear bond strength was 11.8 ± 3.5 MPa for (3-acryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane blended with bis-1,2-(triethoxysilyl)ethane (dry storage). There was a significant difference between mean shear bond strength values for (3-acryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane blended with two cross-linking silanes, bis-1,2-(triethoxysilyl)ethane and bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]amine, after thermocycling (p < 3.9 × 10−8). Various surface treatments of zirconia influenced the surface roughness (p < 4.6 × 10−6). The chemical composition analysis showed there was an increase in silicon and oxygen content after sandblasting. Conclusions. The results suggest that the combination of functional (3-acryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane with cross-linking bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]amine showed superior hydrolytic stability than with bis-1,2-(triethoxysilyl)ethane.

Silane adhesion mechanism in dental applications and surface treatments: A review

OBJECTIVE To give a current review of silane adhesion chemistry, applications of silane coupling agents and related surface pretreatment methods in contemporary dentistry. METHODS Silane coupling agents are adhesion promoters to chemically unify dissimilar materials used in dentistry. Silanes are very effective in adhesion promotion between resin composites and silica-based or silica-coated indirect restorative materials. It is generally accepted that for non-silica-based restorations, surface pretreatment is a mandatory preliminary step to increase the silica content and then, with help of silane, improve resin bonding. This review discusses the silane-based adhesion chemistry, silane applications in dentistry, surface pretreatment methods, and presents the recent development of silane coupling agents. RESULTS A silane coupling agent is considered a reliable, good adhesion promoter to silica-based (or silica-coated) indirect restorations. Surface pre-treatment steps, e.g., acid etching for porcelain and tribo-chemical silica-coating for metal alloys, is used before silanization to attain strong, durable bonding of the substrate to resin composite. In clinical practice, however, the main problem of resin bonding using silanes and other coupling agents is the weakening of the bond (degradation) in the wet oral environment over time. SIGNIFICANCE A silane coupling agent is a justified and popular adhesion promoter (adhesive primer) used in dentistry. The commercial available silane coupling agents can fulfil the requirements in clinical practice for durable bonding. Development of new silane coupling agents, their optimization, and surface treatment methods are in progress to address the long term resin bond durability and are highly important.

Silica coating of zirconia by silicon nitride hydrolysis on adhesion promotion of resin to zirconia

In this study, the effect of silica coating on zirconia by silicon nitride hydrolysis in resin zirconia bonding was investigated. The silica coated zirconia samples were prepared in silicon nitride dispersion at 90 °C under different immersion times followed by a thermal treatment at 1400 °C. Four test groups were prepared: 1) zirconia samples treated by sandblasting, 2) zirconia samples treated by immersion in silicon nitride dispersion for 6 h, 3) zirconia samples treated by immersion in silicon nitride dispersion for 24 h and 4) zirconia samples treated by immersion in silicon nitride dispersion for 48 h. The coatings were characterized by SEM, EDX, XRD and Raman. The resin zirconia bond strengths of the four test groups were evaluated under three storage conditions: dry storage, water storage in deionized water at 37 °C for 30 days and thermo-cycling for 6000 cycles between 5.0 and 55.0 °C. Surface morphology and composition of zirconia were changed after surface treatments. Phase transformation was observed for zirconia surface by sandblasting treatment but was not observed for zirconia surface treated with silicon nitride hydrolysis. Significant differences in bond strengths were found under different surface treatments (p<0.001) and under three storage conditions (p<0.005). The highest bond strength values were obtained by sandblasting treatment.

Effects of a zirconate coupling agent incorporated into an experimental resin composite on its compressive strength and bonding to zirconia

AIM To assess in vitro the compressive strength of an experimental zirconate coupling agented resin composite and its bonding to dental zirconia ceramics. METHODS Various ratios (1.5-4.0wt%) of a zirconate coupling agent, NZ-33(®), zirconium(IV)-2,2[(bis-2-propenolatomethyl)butanolato-tris-2-methyl-2-propenoato-O)] were incorporated in an experimental bis-GMA/MMA-based resin composite formulation with silica fillers. Compressive strength of the experimental resin composite and shear bond strength (SBS) of the resin composite to zirconia were evaluated by using a universal testing machine. Specimens were stored in dry condition, in water storage for 7 days and for 14 days, to a total of twenty test groups. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test (α=0.05). RESULTS SBS of resin-to-zirconia bonding and compressive strength both have significant increase at 1.5wt% and 3.0wt% NZ-33(®) (p<0.05). However, water storage for 7 days (p>0.05) and 14 days (p>0.05) significantly decreased SBS of the experimental resin-to-zirconia with no significant difference between groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS An addition of a zirconate coupling agent used might strengthen the biomechanical properties of the experimental resin composite.

Assessment of the interaction of Portland cement-based materials with blood and tissue fluids using an animal model

Portland cement used in the construction industry improves its properties when wet. Since most dental materials are used in a moist environment, Portland cement has been developed for use in dentistry. The first generation material is mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), used in surgical procedures, thus in contact with blood. The aim of this study was to compare the setting of MTA in vitro and in vivo in contact with blood by subcutaneous implantation in rats. The tissue reaction to the material was also investigated. ProRoot MTA (Dentsply) was implanted in the subcutaneous tissues of Sprague-Dawley rats in opposite flanks and left in situ for 3 months. Furthermore the material was also stored in physiological solution in vitro. At the end of the incubation time, tissue histology and material characterization were performed. Surface assessment showed the formation of calcium carbonate for both environments. The bismuth was evident in the tissues thus showing heavy element contamination of the animal specimen. The tissue histology showed a chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate associated with the MTA. MTA interacts with the host tissues and causes a chronic inflammatory reaction when implanted subcutaneously. Hydration in vivo proceeds similarly to the in vitro model with some differences particularly in the bismuth oxide leaching patterns.

Antimicrobial and biological activity of leachate from light curable pulp capping materials

OBJECTIVES Characterization of a number of pulp capping materials and assessment of the leachate for elemental composition, antimicrobial activity and cell proliferation and expression. METHODOLOGY Three experimental light curable pulp-capping materials, Theracal and Biodentine were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The elemental composition of the leachate formed after 24h was assessed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The antimicrobial activity of the leachate was determined by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against multispecies suspensions of Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175, Streptococcus gordonii ATCC 33478 and Streptococcus sobrinus ATCC 33399. Cell proliferation and cell metabolic function over the material leachate was assessed by an indirect contact test using 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazolyl-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. RESULTS The hydration behavior of the test materials varied with Biodentine being the most reactive and releasing the highest amount of calcium ions in solution. All materials tested except the unfilled resin exhibited depletion of phosphate ions from the solution indicating interaction of the materials with the media. Regardless the different material characteristics, there was a similar antimicrobial activity and cellular activity. All the materials exhibited no antimicrobial activity and were initially cytotoxic with cell metabolic function improving after 3days. CONCLUSIONS The development of light curable tricalcium silicate-based pulp capping materials is important to improve the bonding to the final resin restoration. Testing of both antimicrobial activity and biological behavior is critical for material development. The experimental light curable materials exhibited promising biological properties but require further development to enhance the antimicrobial characteristics.

Surface treatment of titanium by a polydimethylsiloxane coating on bond strength of resin to titanium

PURPOSE To evaluate the in vitro effect of titanium surface treatment by a polydimethylsiloxane coating on the shear bond strength of a resin composite cement to titanium. MATERIALS AND METHODS The titanium samples (40×30mm) were divided into 4 groups (n=12). A control group was surface treated by sandblasting using 110µm silica-coated alumina powder at a constant pressure of 300kPa for 15s/1cm(2). For other three test groups, a polydimethylsiloxane silicone grease was applied onto the surface. The samples were subjected to thermal treatment in air at temperatures of 800°C, 1000°C, and 1100°C for 2h. A silane coupling agent was then applied and a resin composite stub was bonded using a polyethylene mold. The samples were submitted to three different storage conditions: dry storage, water storage in deionized water at 37°C for 30 days and thermo-cycled for 6000 cycles between 5.0 and 55.0°C. The shear bond strengths of all test groups were determined using a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD (p<0.05). The surface morphology of titanium and elemental composition were examined with SEM and EDAX. RESULTS The results showed that there was a significant difference for different surface treatments (p<0.001) and different storage conditions (p<0.01) on the mean shear bond strengths. EDAX analysis showed there was a change of elemental composition of titanium surface after thermal treatment of the coating. CONCLUSION Surface treatment of titanium with a polydimethylsiloxane coating at 1000°C and 1100°C curing provides sufficient resin bonding for clinical services.