Effect of two opaquing techniques and two metal surface conditions on metal-ceramic bond strength

The optimal conditions for opaquing techniques during porcelain application have not been confirmed. In this study the metal-ceramic bond strength was measured among one porcelain and three dental alloys, namely a gold-platinum-palladium alloy, a silver-free gold-palladium alloy, and a base metal alloy, with two opaquing techniques (a single masking layer versus a thin overfired layer followed by a second masking layer). In addition, the opaque porcelain was fired over an oxidized and nonoxidized alloy surface for the silver-free gold-palladium alloy. No significant differences in bond strength were recorded between the two opaquing techniques with the gold-platinum-palladium and base metal alloys. There were no substantial differences between the two opaquing techniques when opaque was applied over an oxidized gold-palladium alloy surface and bond strengths were substantially greater over an oxidized surface. However, when the opaque was applied to a nonoxidized gold-palladium surface the two-layer technique created a significantly greater bond strength.