Effects of a zirconate coupling agent incorporated into an experimental resin composite on its compressive strength and bonding to zirconia.

Abstract

To assess in vitro the compressive strength of an experimental zirconate coupling agented resin composite and its bonding to dental zirconia ceramics. Various ratios (1.5-4.0wt%) of a zirconate coupling agent, NZ-33(®), zirconium(IV)-2,2[(bis-2-propenolatomethyl)butanolato-tris-2-methyl-2-propenoato-O)] were incorporated in an experimental bis-GMA/MMA-based resin composite formulation with silica fillers. Compressive strength of the experimental resin composite and shear bond strength (SBS) of the resin composite to zirconia were evaluated by using a universal testing machine. Specimens were stored in dry condition, in water storage for 7 days and for 14 days, to a total of twenty test groups. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test (α=0.05). SBS of resin-to-zirconia bonding and compressive strength both have significant increase at 1.5wt% and 3.0wt% NZ-33(®) (p<0.05). However, water storage for 7 days (p>0.05) and 14 days (p>0.05) significantly decreased SBS of the experimental resin-to-zirconia with no significant difference between groups (p>0.05). An addition of a zirconate coupling agent used might strengthen the biomechanical properties of the experimental resin composite.