Effects of tetrabutylammonium dihydrogen trifluoride etchant on bond strengths of resin composites with Ti-6Al-4V and Co-Cr alloys.

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of surface treatments with tetrabutylammonium dihydrogen trifluoride (TDTF) on the bond strengths of indirect resin composites with titanium-aluminum-vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V) and cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloys. Disk-shaped Ti-6Al-4V and Co-Cr alloy specimens were air-abraded with alumina, treated with an etchant (MEP) containing TDTF for 10 s (MEP10) or 30 s (MEP30), and rinsed with water. Subsequently, a primer containing 6-methacryloyloxyhexyl phosphonoacetate was applied to the surfaces, and the specimens were veneered with a light-curing indirect resin composite. Specimens without MEP were prepared as controls (no-MEP). Shear bond strengths were determined before or after 100,000 thermocycles, and the data were analyzed using the Steel-Dwass test (α = 0.05, n = 10). No significant difference was found in the bond strengths between the Ti-6Al-4V and Co-Cr alloys. In each metal alloy, the MEP10 and MEP30 specimens exhibited higher bond strengths than the no-MEP controls after 100,000 thermocycles. Scanning electron microscopy observations revealed that submicron-pits and crevices were formed on both the metal alloys upon applying the MEP etchant. Surface treatments with TDTF following air abrasion are useful for improving bonding durability while veneering resin composites on Ti-6Al-4V or Co-Cr alloy frameworks.