The effects of XeCl laser etching of Ni-Cr alloy on bond strengths to composite resin: a comparison with sandblasting procedures.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of laser surface treatment of Ni-Cr alloy on the tensile bond strength of a proprietary composite resin (Panavia 21) in comparison with a conventional sandblasting technique. METHODS: Eighty cylinders of Ni-Cr were randomly allocated into the following groups: Group I-sandblasting only; Group II-low laser fluence (3.0 J/cm(2)); Group III-medium laser fluence (4.0 J/cm(2)); Group IV-high laser fluence (4.9 J/cm(2)); Group V-sandblasting in combination with medium laser fluence (4.0 J/cm(2)). Specimens within groups were bonded into pairs with resin cement as per manufacturer's instructions. They were then de-bonded using a tensile test. RESULTS: The mean de-bond strengths (SD) were: Group I-13.1 (4.2)MPa; Group II-17.6 (5.8)MPa; Group III-25.7 (11.8)MPa; Group IV-22.6 (6.6)MPa; Group V-41.8 (13.2)MPa. A statistically significant improvement (Bonferroni, p<0.05) in bond strength was found for the specimens which had been both lased and sandblasted (Group V) compared to all other groups, including those which were only sandblasted. SIGNIFICANCE: Laser pre-treatment of Ni-Cr alloy increases bond strength to composite resin compared with sandblasting; laser pre-treatment in combination with sandblasting further increases the de-bond strengths.