[Effect of TiO2-SiO2-SnOx film with different firing temperatures on bond strength of low-fusing dental porcelain to pure titanium].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of TiO(2)-SiO(2)-SnOx nano-coatings with different firing temperatures on the bond strength of low-fusing dental porcelain to pure titanium. METHODS: The surface of pure titanium was coated uniformly with TiO(2)-SiO(2)-SnOx nano-coatings by solution-gelatin (Sol-Gel) technology and then fired at 300 °C (group A) or 750 °C (group B) for 1 h. The specimens without any coatings were the control group (group C). There were 10 specimens in each group. Dental porcelain was sintered on the surface of titanium specimens. Surface roughness and contact angle of the coatings were also detected. The titanium-porcelain bond strength was investigated according to YY 0621-2008 standards using three-point flexure bond test. The phase composition of the TiO(2)-SiO(2)-SnOx nano-coatings was characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD). The interface of titanium-porcelain and TiO(2)-SiO(2)-SnOx nano-coatings were observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: No rutile phase was found in these specimens of group A and group B. The surface roughness of group A, B, C was (0.97 ± 0.06), (0.99 ± 0.03), (0.96 ± 0.07) µm, respectively. No significant difference was found among the three groups. Compared with that of group C (64.37° ± 3.01°), contact angles detected in group A (52.04° ± 3.15°) and group B (85.27° ± 4.17°) were significantly different (P < 0.05). The bond strength of titanium-porcelain in group A [(35.66 ± 2.65) MPa] was significantly increased compared with those in group B [(26.18 ± 2.22) MPa] and group C [(31.66 ± 3.52) MPa]. SEM photomicrographs of titanium-porcelain interface morphology of the specimens before porcelain sintering showed that TiO(2)-SiO(2)-SnOx nano-coatings in group A were compact and homogeneous with petty cracks and those in group B was loose and arranged disorderly. CONCLUSIONS: TiO(2)-SiO(2)-SnOx nano-coating fired at 300 °C is significantly effective in improving the titanium-porcelain bond strength.