The improvement of adhesive properties of PEEK through different pre-treatments

The purpose of this in vitro study was the evaluation of the bond strength of the adhesives/composite resin to Poly Ether Ether Ketone (PEEK) based dental polymer after using different surface conditioning methods. PEEK blanks were cut into discs. All disc specimens were polished with 800 grit SiC paper and divided into 6 main groups. Main groups were divided into 2 subgroups. The main groups of 32 specimens each were treated as follow: (1) control specimens (no treatment), (2) piranha solution etching, (3) abraded with 50 μm alumina particles and chemical etching, (4) abraded with 110 μm alumina particles and chemical etching, (5) abraded with 30 μm silica-coated alumina particles and chemical etching, (6) abraded with 110 μm silica-coated alumina particles and chemical etching. Plexiglas tubes filled with a composite resin (RelyX Unicem) were bonded to the specimens. The adhesives used were Heliobond and Clearfil Ceramic Primer. Each specimen was stored in distilled water (37 °C) for 3 days. Tensile bond strength was measured in a universal testing machine and failure methods were evaluated. Abraded surface with 50 μm alumina particles followed by etching with piranha solution lead to the highest bond strength of 21.4 MPa when Heliobond like adhesive was used. Tribochemical silica coated/etched PEEK surfaces did not have an effect on the bond strength. Non-treated PEEK surface was not able to establish a bond with composite resin. The proper choice of adhesive/composite resin system leads to a strong bond.