Synergistic reinforcement of surface modification on improving the bonding of veneering ceramics to zirconia

Veneering ceramics should be strongly bonded to zirconia core in order to achieve successfully long-term clinical practice. Indeed, to pursue the high zirconia core–veneering ceramic bonding is still a concerned issue. In this regard, this study was to treat zirconia surface using a 3 wt% Si3N4 solution in 4 M NaOH and to investigate the effect of soaking time (5, 10, and 20 days) on the surface properties of zirconia and shear bond strength between zirconia and veneering ceramics. The residual veneering ceramics on zirconia surfaces and failure modes were also examined after fracture. The results showed that the phase composition of zirconia before and after surface modification was not changed. The elemental mapping and depth profiling consistently revealed the soaking-time-dependent Si content on the zirconia surface. The surface roughness of zirconia was significantly (P < 0.05) increased with the increasing soaking time. When zirconia was treated for 10 days, the shear bond strength value of 27.4 MPa was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the control (18.6 MPa), associated with greater remaining amounts of veneering ceramics on the zirconia surface. The failure mode of the treated zirconia was almost the mixed failure. On the basis of the data, surface modification using Si3N4 in NaOH solution for zirconia core could be a simple and effective method for enhancing the veneering ceramic–zirconia bonding.