The effect of plasma surface treatment on push‑out bond strength of fiber‑reinforced posts to root canal dentin

Objectives This study evaluated the effect of surface treatment with plasma or sandblasting on push-out bond strength of fiber post bonded to root canal dentin. Methods Crowns of 50 teeth were sectioned and their root canals were instrumented, obturated and received post-space preparations. The roots were equally divided into five groups according to post surface treatment. Posts were surface treated with oxygen plasma in Group 1 and argon plasma in Group 2. Post surfaces were treated with sandblasting in Group 3 and silanized after sandblasting in Group 4. In control group (Group 5), posts were cemented to the canal wall without surface treatment. After post cementation, push-out test was used to evaluate the bond strength of fiber post bonded to root canal dentin. Data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (α = 0.05). Results Oxygen plasma revealed the significantly highest push-out bond strength of all groups (P 0.01). No significant difference was found between argon plasma and control group. Sandblasting significantly improved the bond strength compared to control group. The difference between sandblasted and sandblasted-silanized groups was not significant. Conclusions Oxygen plasma treatment of fiber post recorded the highest bond strength to root canal dentin followed by sandblasting. Silanization and Argon plasma did not play a significant role in enhancing bond strength of fiber posts to canal dentin. Clinical significance: Oxygen plasma surface treatment offered the highest resistance to displacement of fiber posts. Clinical trials involving plasma technique are indicated.