Effect of surface treatments on the repair strength of a light-activated denture repair resin using censored data

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three different chemical surface modifications on the bond strength of light-activated denture repair resin (Triad, Dentsply International) to a heat-cured resin (Lucitone, Dentsply International). Methods. Transverse flexure test specimens were made, with surface treatment of 1) Triad bonding agent, 2) unreacted Lucitone monomer, and 3) a 1:1 mixture of methylene chloride and monomer, using two different application times (2 and 4 min). For all except one group, 18 specimens were made. The controls were solid single composition bars, 18 for each material. The elastic modulus in transverse flexure was measured for each material. The statistical analysis employed the Weibull distribution. Fracture strength values were obtained in a three-point flexure test. Results.It was noted that many fractures occured away from the interface and the center member of the test fixture. For those fractures, the observed fracture strength is a censored value of the fracture strength. Algorithms for the statistical treatment of censored data were used to get the maximum likelihood estimates of the fracture strength. A mechanical model showed that under three-point bending of a beam of two joined materials, fractures will occur in the part with the higher elastic modulus. This findingsis indeed observed in the data. The 4 min monomer treatment showed the highest estimate of the bond strength (187.8 MPa). Significance. Censored data can be used to obtain fracture strength estimates, and the censoring indicates that the bond strength may exceed the strength of the bulk material.