Bond Strength of Molar Bands to Stainless Steel Crown

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this laboratory study were: 1) to compare bond strength of molar bands cemented to stainless steel crowns (SSCs) using three different types of cements (glass ionomer – GI -, resin modified glass ionomer – RMGI - and polycarboxylate); 2) to assess the influence of sandblasting of molar bands on the mean bond strength between band and stainless steel crown (band/SSC). METHODS: Sixty SSCs and 60 molar bands that fit perfectly on the SSC were included in this study. The sample divided into 6 groups (10 band/SSCs in each group). For groups 1, 2 and 3 (non-sandblasted groups) the bands were cemented on SSC with GIC, RMGIC and polycarboxylate cement, respectively. For groups 4, 5 and 6 (sandblasted groups) the inner surfaces of molar bands were roughened with sandblast prior to cementation in the same manner for the first three groups. The bond strength was measured after dislodgement of SSC using push-out test applied by Accuforce Elite Test System Machine (AETSM). ANOVA and student's t-test were used to compare the bond strength for different groups. RESULTS: Polycarboxylate cement demonstrated the highest mean bond strength in non-sandblasted and sandblasted groups. In non-sandblasted groups, significant difference was only found between polycarboxylate cement and RMGIC (p= 0.042). In sandblasted groups, significant difference was found between polycarboxylate cement and RMGIC (p = 0.021), while there was only marginal difference between GIC and RMGIC (p = 0.052). Within each cement groups, the sandblasted group exhibited superior bond strength in comparison to non-sandblasted group. CONCLUSION: No significant difference noticed between the bond strength of polycarboxylate cement and GIC. Polycarboxylate cement showed the highest bond strength, while RMGIC showed the lowest. Sandblasting the inner surface of molar band enhanced the bond strength of different cements used in this study.