Effect of Polymer Infiltered Ceramic Surface Treatment Using Photoactivated Low-Level Laser Therapy, CO2 Laser, and Aluminum Oxide on Surface Roughness, Shear Bond Strength, and Color Change: An In vitro SEM EDX Analysis

Abstract

Contemporary surface conditioners (Sandblasting (SB), Self-etching ceramic primer (SECP), low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in conjunction with methylene blue photosensitizer (MBPS), Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser on the color change (ΔE), surface roughness (Ra) and bond strength of hybrid ceramic (HC) to resin cement. Hundred discs were prepared from HC which were surface treated (n = 15) Group 1: HFA(S), Group 2: SB, Group 3: SECP, Group 4: LLLT (MBPS), Group 5: CO2 laser. After surface conditioning, five samples from each group underwent ΔE and Ra analysis using a spectrophotometer and Profilometer respectively. Fifty specimens were applied with dual-cure resin luting cement. Specimens were thermocycled and underwent SBS and failure mode analysis using UTM and stereomicroscope. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of ΔE, Ra, and SBS were calculated using ANOVA. Intergroup comparisons were made using post hoc Tukey multiple comparisons. A maximum score of ΔE was observed in Group 5 samples (CO2 laser+HC). The minimum value of ΔE was displayed by Group 3 (SECP+HC) specimens. Group 2 (SB+HC) treated specimens that exhibited the highest Ra scores and SBS. Sandblasting and carbon dioxide laser-treated samples presented satisfactory outcomes of surface roughness and bond strength. However, Sandblasting and carbon dioxide laser groups presented significant changes in the color of the specimens.