Effect of ultrashort pulsed laser on bond strength of Y-TZP zirconia ceramic to tooth surfaces.

There is limited knowledge about the effects of ultrashort pulsed laser on zirconia ceramic surfaces. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ytterbium (Yb)-doped fiber laser and other surface treatment methods -namely, sandblasting with 110 µm aluminum oxide or 30 µm silica-coated alumina on shear bond strength (SBS) of zirconia to tooth surface. A total of 128 zirconium oxide disks were made by using CAD-CAM technology. Disk surfaces were sandblasted with Al2O3 particles or silica-coated alumina or irradiated with Yb-doped fiber based nanosecond pulsed laser at 85W output power at 25 kHz. Disks were luted to dentin using two different resin cement. SBS of each specimen was measured. Results were statistically analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni and Dunnett tests (p<0.005). Highest bond strength was obtained when zirconia surface was pretreated with Yb-doped fiber-based nanosecond pulsed laser regardless of the resin cement used.