Effect of the cross-linking silane concentration in a novel silane system on bonding resin-composite cement

OBJECTIVE: Four experimental blends of an organo-functional silane monomer with a non-functional cross-linking silane monomer (a novel silane system) were evaluated as adhesion promoters in an experiment in which a resin-composite cement was bonded to silica-coated titanium. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 3-Acryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (as constant 1.0 vol%) was blended with 1,2-bis-(triethoxysilyl)ethane, where its concentration was 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, or 0.5 vol%. Titanium slides (n=20) were grit-blasted, silica-coated, and silanized with four experimental silane solutions, with a pre-activated silane Cimaratrade mark (VOCO, Germany) as control. After silanization, resin-composite cement stubs (Bifixtrade mark QM; VOCO, Germany) were photo-polymerized. The shear bond strength was measured after dry storage (24 h) or after thermo-cycling (6000 cycles between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C). The resin stub failure mode was determined. RESULTS: Statistical analysis (ANOVA) showed that type of storage (p <0.05) and concentration of cross-linker silane (p<0.005) both significantly affected the shear bond strength. The highest shear bond strength was obtained with a blend of 1.0 vol% 3-acryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane+0.3 vol% 1,2-bis-(triethoxysilyl)ethane, 15.9 MPa (standard deviation SD 3.4 MPa) for both the thermo-cycled group and after dry storage (24 h), 14.3 MPa (SD 4.1 MPa) (n=8/group). The lowest values were obtained with Cimaratrade mark silane 7.3 MPa (SD 2.2 MPa) in dry storage and 7.9 MPa (SD 2.0 MPa) obtained with 1.0 vol% 3-acryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane+0.1 vol% 1,2-bis-(triethoxysilyl)ethane. The failure type was mainly cohesive. CONCLUSION: A novel silane system with an optimal concentration of the cross-linking silane may produce significantly higher shear bond strength between silica-coated titanium and resin-composite cement compared to a pre-activated silane product.