The effect of surface treatment of fiber-reinforced posts on adhesion of a resin-based luting agent

Surface treatment of fiber-reinforced posts may not always increase adhesion, especially on the post/resin-based luting agent interface, which is a weaker interface than the dentin/adhesive interface. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of different post surface treatments on the bond strength of a luting agent to a fiber post. Sixty-eight fiber-reinforced posts (D. T. Light-Post) were divided into 4 groups and treated with 1 of the following surface treatment procedures: no treatment (NS) (control), silanization (SA) (Monobond-S), airborne-particle abrasion (AB) (Airsonic Alu-Oxyd), or silanization subsequent to airborne-particle abrasion (AB plus SA). Specimens were bonded with dual-polymerizing resin-based luting material (Variolink II) and stored in water at 37°C for 24 hours. Shear bond strength (MPa) was measured using a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA and the multiple comparisons Scheffé test with Bonferroni correction (α=.05). Shear bond strength of the luting agent to the post was significantly affected by surface treatment (P<.05). Treating the surface of the post with airborne-particle abrasion resulted in a significantly higher bond strength compared with other treatments. There was no significant difference in bond strength between the silanization group and the no treatment group or the silanization plus airborne-particle abrasion group. Airborne-particle abrasion provided a significant increase in bond strength between the post and the luting agent evaluated, without additional treatments.