Effect of femtosecond laser beam angle and formed shape on surface roughness and shear bond strength between zirconia and resin cement

Achieving adhesion between resin cement and zirconia requires pretreatment of the surface. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effect of femtosecond laser beam angle and the shape of the formed surfaces, on the roughness and shear bond strength (SBS) of resin cement to zirconia ceramic. Seventy Y-TZP ceramic specimens were divided into seven groups (n=10). A femtosecond laser irradiation was performed on the ceramic surface of three shapes (spiral (SP), square (SQ) and circular (CI) and at two angles (30 and 90 degrees) to give SP-30, SQ-30 and CI-30 and SP-90, SQ-90 and CI-90, respectively. After treatment, the surface roughness of all specimens was evaluated using a profilometer. One specimen from each group was analysed using a scanning electron microscope. The bonded specimens were thermocycled 5000 times and then an SBS test was performed. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyse surface roughness and SBS values. The control group had statistically lower surface roughness (R-a) values than the treated groups (p<0.05). SP-30 and SQ-30 laser treated specimens showed higher R-a values than the other specimens. Statistically significant SBS values (p=0.000) were observed between the groups. All laser treated samples showed greater SBS compared to the control group. SP-30, SQ-30 and SQ-90 groups showed the highest SBS values. Within the limitations of this experimental study, the highest mean values for R-a and SBS were achieved with SP and SQ surfaces using a 30 degrees angle laser beam.