Bracket bonding to polymethylmethacrylate-based materials for computer-aided design/manufacture of temporary restorations: Influence of mechanical treatment and chemical treatment with universal adhesives

Objective: To assess shear bond strength and failure mode (Adhesive Remnant Index, ARI) of orthodontic brackets bonded to polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) blocks for computer-aided design/manufacture (CAD/CAM) fabrication of temporary restorations, following substrate chemical or mechanical treatment. Methods: Two types of PMMA blocks were tested: $CAD-Temp^{(R)}$ (VITA) and $Telio^{(R)}$ CAD (Ivoclar-Vivadent). The substrate was roughened with 320-grit sandpaper, simulating a fine-grit diamond bur. Two universal adhesives, Scotchbond Universal Adhesive (SU) and Assure Plus (AP), and a conventional adhesive, Transbond XT Primer (XTP; control), were used in combination with Transbond XT Paste to bond the brackets. Six experimental groups were formed: (1) $CAD-Temp^{(R)}/SU$; (2) $CAD-Temp^{(R)}/AP$; (3) $CAD-Temp^{(R)}/XTP$; (4) $Telio^{(R)}$ CAD/SU; (5) $Telio^{(R)}$ CAD/AP; (6) $Telio^{(R)}$ CAD/XTP. Shear bond strength and ARI were assessed. On 1 extra block for each PMMA-based material surfaces were roughened with 180-grit sandpaper, simulating a normal/medium-grit ($100{\mu}m$) diamond bur, and brackets were bonded. Shear bond strengths and ARI scores were compared with those of groups 3, 6. Results: On $CAD-Temp^{(R)}$ significantly higher bracket bond strengths than on $Telio^{(R)}$ CAD were recorded. With XTP significantly lower levels of adhesion were reached than using SU or AP. Roughening with a coarser bur resulted in a significant increase in adhesion. Conclusions: Bracket bonding to CAD/CAM PMMA can be promoted by grinding the substrate with a normal/medium-grit bur or by coating the intact surface with universal adhesives. With appropriate pretreatments, bracket adhesion to CAD/CAM PMMA temporary restorations can be enhanced to clinically satisfactory levels.