Bonding to silicate ceramics : conventional technique compared with a simplified technique

Background Silicate ceramic bonding is carried out by acid-etching with hydrofluoric acid (HF) followed by an application of silane. By replacing HF with ammonium polyfluoride, contained in the same flask as the silane, the number of steps in this clinical procedure, can be reduced, while maintaining bond strength values, and reducing toxicity. A shear bond test was performed to compare the conventional and the simplified surface treatment techniques. Material and methods Twenty ceramic samples were fabricated from IPS emax CAD® ceramic (Ivoclar Vivadent) and divided into two groups (G1 and G2) (n=10). The conventional technique was applied to G1 samples, and the simplified technique to G2 …