This study evaluates how pre-treatment with an MDP-containing cleaning agent (Katana Cleaner, Kuraray) influences the micro-shear bond strength (µSBS) of saliva-contaminated zirconia when used with universal adhesive (UA) systems. Rectangular specimens (2 mm × 12 mm × 15 mm) were obtained (IPS, e.max ZirCAD, MO, B65L17, Ivoclar Vivadent) and divided into three groups; a non-contaminated group (control group)(CON), a contaminated and cleaned with isopropyl alcohol group(ISP), and lastly, a group contaminated and cleaned with an MDP-containing cleaning agent(KAC). Each group was then subdivided into three subgroups according to the UAs used (n = 12). Composite cylinders were prepared and bonded to each surface with Panavia V5 (Kuraray, Noritake Dental). A µSBS test was performed and the data were evaluated with the two-way analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA) and multiple comparisons test (α = 0.05). The highest µSBS values were obtained in the non-contaminated group (p < 0.001), regardless of UAs. All subgroups showed lower µSBS values after saliva contamination, but KAC resulted in significantly higher µSBS values than 99% isopropanol (p < 0.001). Overall, the lowest µSBS value was obtained with 99% isopropanol. The KAC-Clearfil UA subgroup resulted in statistically significantly higher µSBS values than the other UAs (p = 0.035 and 0.007), although all three UAs resulted in sufficient µSBS values. This study revealed that applying KAC followed by a UA containing phosphate monomers produces promising results for improving µSBS values of zirconia, greater than results using 99% isopropanol.Clinical relevance: An MDP-containing cleaning agent followed by a phosphate monomer containing a universal adhesive is a promising method to obtain acceptable bonds with saliva-contaminated zirconia ceramics.
Keywords: Zirconia ceramic; bond strength; cleaning; contamination; universal adhesive.