Zirconia/Glass-ceramic novel adhesive products

    With the increasing use of all-ceramic restorative materials in clinical practice, zirconia and lithium-disilicate/feldspathic ceramics are gradually becoming the dominant materials. However, these inorganic ceramics are chemically inert and have low surface energy, making it difficult to achieve stable and durable bonding using traditional adhesive methods.

    Therefore, a new generation of zirconia/feldspathic ceramic-specific adhesive promoters has been developed. Through interfacial chemical modification technology, these promoters significantly improve the bond strength between resin and ceramic, bringing greater reliability to chairside restorations and in-house processing.

    This product is a core technology material for solving the problem of difficult bonding of ceramics. It is a surface-modifying adhesion promoter specifically for zirconia, high-strength lithium silicate ceramics, feldspar ceramics, and mica glass ceramics.

Its function is not that of "glue," but rather: to enhance the surface energy of ceramics → allowing resin to adhere, bond firmly, and maintain a long-lasting bond.

    In recent years, with the development of aesthetic restoration, non-metallic restorative materials have been increasingly used in the field of dental restoration. Zirconia restorative materials are favored by patients and doctors due to their excellent mechanical strength and good biocompatibility. As an excellent dental material, the long-term clinical effects of zirconia have attracted much attention. A five-year follow-up study of the complication rate of zirconia materials shows that despite continuous advancements in bonding techniques, the main reason for clinical failures with zirconia materials is bond loss, particularly noticeable in zirconia veneers.

    Glass fusion is a novel surface treatment method for zirconia.

Its principle involves fusing a layer of low-temperature glass-ceramic onto the surface of zirconia using a simple glazing spraying technique. A strong bond is then achieved between this glass-ceramic layer and the zirconia through a single low-temperature sintering process.

As is well known, glass-ceramic bonding is a highly mature technology in clinical applications, widely used in veneer restorations. After surface modification, the surface structure and composition of zirconia are essentially identical to those of glass-ceramic materials. Therefore, the surface of zirconia after glass fusion treatment can be roughened by acid etching with hydrofluoric acid, thereby generating reliable mechanical bonding force.

Principle

  ① Zirconia surface activation technology: Through novel zirconium affinity functional groups, a chemical complex structure is directly formed with the ZrO₂ surface, achieving a strong improvement in adhesion to ceramics without a glass phase.

Compared to traditional pure silane systems: adhesion to zirconium oxide is improved by 3–8 times, without the need for HF acid etching or sandblasting to enhance adhesion.

  ② Composite silane coupling structure: For glass-ceramic surfaces, Si–O–Si covalent bonds are formed through functionalized silanes, improving the grafting bond between the resin composite material and the glass network structure.

Advantages: Significantly improved wettability; easier reduction of surface tension; stronger long-term hydrolysis resistance.

  ③ Dual interface enhancement design (Zr-O layer + Si-O layer): One adhesive is suitable for two types of ceramic materials, achieving wider compatibility and operational consistency.

 Features

A bonding agent is applied to the crown surface of zirconia veneers, inlays, and other restorations. After low-temperature sintering, an ultra-thin micron-level lithium disilicate coating is formed, which modifies the zirconia surface, enhances the bonding strength between the restoration and the enamel, and effectively solves the problem of loss of adhesion after zirconia veneers, inlays, and other restorations.

Instructions for Use

1. Pre-treatment of the Coronal Surface within the Restoration

Sandblasting (Recommended): It is recommended to sandblast the zirconia veneer, inlay, and other internal crown restorations with 50μm alumina particles for 10 seconds to enhance surface roughness and strengthen the bond strength between the adhesive layer and the zirconia restoration after sintering.

Cleaning: Thoroughly clean the inner and outer surfaces with ethanol or  remove residual water, oil, and contaminants.

2. Application of Adhesive to the Restoration

Use a special brush or sponge to apply an appropriate amount of adhesive to the bonding surface of the zirconia restoration (i.e., the inner crown surface; a thickness of ≤10μm is recommended).

Precautions

Compatibility Testing: It is recommended to verify compatibility with resin cement on a test piece before first use.

Storage Conditions: Store in a dry environment below 25℃, away from light. After use, it is recommended to tighten the cap and seal the container.