Effects of timing and heat treatment of silanated porcelain on the bond strength

This study examined the effects of post-silanization interval and heat treatment on shear bond strength of composite resin to porcelain. One hundred and eighty square-shaped specimens were fabricated and sanded flat sequentially. The specimens were then randomly placed into six groups and 18 subgroups of 10 specimens each. An experimental and three commercially available silane systems, including two one-mix and one two-mix systems, were tested in this study. No silane treatment specimen was used as control. Specimens from the experimental and one of the Mirage groups were selected for heat treatment for 60 min at 60°C. Three post-silanization intervals were scheduled. After incubation, a dual cure composite resin (Mirage FLC) was placed on the silanated surfaces and light-cured. All specimens were stored in 37°C, 2% saline solution for 1 week and subjected to shear test using an Instron machine with cross-head speed of 5 mm/min. ANOVA and Scheffe tests were used to analyse data with confidence level at 95%. The mean values of the shear bond strengths ranged from 2-8 to 23-3 MPa. All groups showed significantly higher bond strength than the control group at the 3 min, 24 h and 1 week post-silanization periods (P < 0.05). Heat treatment groups recorded an increase in the shear bond strength and maintained significantly higher bond strength values (P < 0.05). In conclusion, bond strength of composite resin to porcelain resulting from silanization of porcelain increased after heat treatment and during the post-silanization periods. The bond strength also varied for different silane coupling agents tested in this study especially in the one-mix system.