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Glass-Ceramic Bonding Protocol — NDEB AFK MCQ

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ModerateDental MaterialsGlass-Ceramic Bonding ProtocolNDEB AFK

Which type of porcelain restoration requires hydrofluoric acid etching and silane application for bonding?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: ALithium disilicate (e.max) crown

Glass-ceramic restorations (lithium disilicate, leucite-reinforced, feldspathic) contain a glass phase that is selectively etched by hydrofluoric acid (typically 5% for 20-60 seconds), creating a microporous surface. Silane coupling agent is then applied to create a chemical bond between the silica in the ceramic and the methacrylate in the resin cement. This HF + silane protocol does NOT work on polycrystalline ceramics (zirconia, alumina) because they lack a glass phase. Zirconia requires airborne particle abrasion and MDP-containing primers.

Reference: Anusavice – Phillips' Science of Dental Materials, 13th ed., 2022