e506 VOLUME 38 • NUMBER 8 • SEPTEMBER 2007 QUINTESSENCE INTERNATIONAL During the last decade, the use of titanium for cast restorations, such as resin-bonded fixed partial dentures and implant-supported prostheses, has increased substantially. 1–3 Despite the development of new-generation casting machines and investment materials, several problems persist. 1,4,5 One of the prob- lems associated with titanium castings is insufficient bonding between titanium metal frameworks and veneering materials and lut- ing agents, which has impeded the achieve- ment of favorable clinical results. 5,6 Cast titanium has a great clinical applica- bility due to its favorable and innumerous characteristics. It has excellent biocompatibil- ity, high corrosion resistance, low density, and a high strength/weight ratio. Several studies have, therefore, attempted to optimize the efficacy of the chemical bond systems for binding resin to titanium, keeping in mind that composite materials can be bonded to Effect of metal conditioners on the adhesive bonding of resin cements to cast titanium Sicknan Soares da Rocha, DDS MSc, PhD 1 / Gelson Luis Adabo, DDS, MSc, PhD 2 / Sandra Gouveia Spinola, DDS 3 / Renata Garcia Fonseca, DDS, MSc, PhD 4 / Anelise Rodolfo Ferreira, DDS, MSc 5 Objective: To assess the effect of metal conditioners on the bond strength between resin cements and cast titanium. Method and Materials: Commercially pure titanium (99.56%) was cast using an arc casting machine. Surfaces were finished with 400-grit silicon car- bide paper followed by air abrasion with 50-µm aluminum oxide. A piece of double-coated tape with a 4-mm circular hole was then positioned on the metal surface to control the area of the bond. The prepared surfaces were then divided into 4 groups (n=10): G1, unprimed Panavia F; G2, Alloy Primer–Panavia F; G3, unprimed Bistite DC; G4, Metaltite- Bistite DC. Forty minutes after insertion of the resin cements, the specimens were detached from the mold and stored in water at 37°C for 24 hours. Shear bond strength was performed in a testing machine (MTS 810) at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test with a .05 significance level. The frac- tured surfaces were observed through an optical microscope at 10 magnification. Results: The G1 group demonstrated significantly higher shear bond strength (17.95 MPa) than the other groups. G3 (13.79 MPa) and G4 (12.98 MPa) showed similar mean values to each other and were statistically superior to G2 (9.31 MPa). Debonded surfaces generally presented adhesive failure between metal surfaces and resin cements. Conclusion: While the Metaltite conditioner did not influence the bond strength of the Bistite DC cement, the Alloy Primer conditioner significantly decreased the mean bond strength of the Panavia F cement. (Quintessence Int 2007;38:709.e506-510) Key words: fixed partial denture, metal conditioners, resin cements, shear bond strength, titanium 1 Professor, Health Science Institut, Paulista University (UNIP), Goiânia, GO, Brazil. 2 Associate Professor, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, São Paolo State University (UNESP), Araraquara Dental School, Araraquara, SP, Brazil. 3 Postgraduate Student, São Paolo State University (UNESP), Araraquara Dental School, Araraquara, SP, Brazil. 4 Assistant Professor, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, São Paolo State University (UNESP), Araraquara Dental School, Araraquara, SP, Brazil. 5 Postgraduate Student, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, São Paolo State University (UNESP), Araraquara Dental School, Araraquara, SP, Brazil. Correspondence: Dr Gelson Luis Adabo, Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, São Paolo State University (UNESP), Rua Humaitá, 1680-CEP: 14801-903. CP: 331, Araraquara, SP, Brazil. Fax: 55 (16) 201-6406. E-mail: adabo@ foar.unesp.br COPYRIGHT © 2007 BY QUINTESSENCE PUBLISHING CO, INC. PRINTING OF THIS DOCUMENT IS RESTRICTED TO PERSONAL USE ONLY. NO PART OF THIS ARTICLE MAY BE REPRODUCED OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER