Effect of elapsed time after air abrasion on bond strength of luting agent to CAD/CAM resin blocks

Abstract

This experiment assessed the effect of elapsed time between air abrasion and bonding on tensile bond strength (TBS) between computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) composite resin blocks and luting agents. Specimens were divided into eight groups classified by block type (Estelite Block or HC Block), elapsed time after air abrasion (none [D0] or 1 week [D7]), luting agent type (Estecem [ESC] or Rely X Ultimate [RLU]), and polymerization condition (chemical cured [CC] or light cured [LC]). In the CC+ESC group, TBS was significantly higher at D0 than at D7. There was also a significant difference between blocks in all groups except the LC+ESC group. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to observe the surfaces of blocks after air abrasion and indicated that blocks absorbed water in air with elapsed time, which affected TBS between CAD/CAM composite resin blocks and luting agents.