Atmospheric moisture effects on the testing rate and cementation seating load following resin-strengthening of a soda lime glass analogue for dental porcelain

Objectives To investigate if resin-cementation of a soda lime glass dental analogue could elucidate information regarding the pattern of resin-reinforcement when coated in an environment actively scavenged of moisture. Methods 192 soda lime disc-shaped specimens (alumina particle air abraded, hydrofluoric acid-etched and silane coated) were randomly assigned to eight groups (n = 24 per group) prior to resin-coating at seating loads of 5 N (Groups A-D) and 30 N (Groups E-H) in an environment where moisture was actively scavenged and maintained below 15 ppm. Following one week storage the discs were tested in biaxial flexure at crosshead rates of 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mm/min. Analysis of group means was performed utilising a general linear model univariate analysis and post hoc all paired Tukey tests (P < 0.05). Results The general linear model univariate analysis identified the mean biaxial flexure strength (BFS) was significantly influenced by the factors resin-cementation seating load (P < 0.001) and crosshead speed of the applied load (P < 0.001) with a significant interaction (P = 0.008) between both factors. The linear logarithmic regression curves fitted to the group mean BFS data plotted against the crosshead speed highlighted significant differences between the pattern of resin-strengthening for the cementation loads and testing conditions. Conclusions The decrease in resin-penetration expected within the 'resin-ceramic hybrid layer' following removal of the 30 N seating load was proposed as the modifying resin-strengthening parameter. These observations are supported by the viscoelastic and creep behaviour of resins at slow testing rates which becomes the dominant or determining phenomenon.