What are the steps for cementing indirect ceramics with Panavia F2.0 (resin cement), including surface preparation and application of ED Primer II (dentin primer) and silane?

Cementation Protocol for Indirect Ceramics with Panavia F2.0

You are correct—silane application to the ceramic intaglio surface is a critical step that must not be omitted when cementing indirect ceramic restorations with Panavia F2.0.

The complete cementation protocol requires surface preparation of both the tooth structure and the ceramic restoration, including mandatory silane treatment of the ceramic intaglio surface to achieve optimal bond strength.

Complete Step-by-Step Protocol

Ceramic Restoration (Intaglio Surface) Preparation

• Sandblast the ceramic intaglio surface with 50-μm Al₂O₃ particles to create micromechanical retention and increase surface area for bonding 1, 2

• Apply silane coupling agent to the sandblasted ceramic surface and allow proper reaction time according to manufacturer instructions 3, 4

  • For Panavia F2.0 system, use Clearfil Ceramic Primer which contains silane 4
  • Silane creates chemical bonds between the inorganic ceramic and organic resin cement 3

• Ensure the silanized surface remains uncontaminated until cementation 5

Tooth Structure (Dentin) Preparation

• Achieve absolute moisture control and complete dryness of the prepared tooth surface, as moisture will prevent proper adhesion and cause restoration failure 5, 6

• Apply ED Primer II to the prepared dentin surface according to Panavia F2.0 manufacturer protocol 7, 8

  • ED Primer II is a self-etching primer that conditions dentin without separate etching 7

• Consider applying a resin coating layer over the ED-primed dentin before cementation for improved long-term bond strength 7, 8

  • A combination of dentin bonding system (Clearfil Protect Bond) with flowable resin composite (Protect Liner F) significantly improves microtensile bond strength compared to ED Primer alone 7
  • Resin coating significantly reduces microleakage at gingival margins after 6 months of water storage 8

Cementation Procedure

• Mix Panavia F2.0 resin cement according to manufacturer instructions 7, 4

• Apply cement to the ceramic intaglio surface (already treated with silane) 7

• Seat the restoration with firm, sustained pressure to ensure complete seating and minimize cement thickness 4

• Remove excess cement at the gel stage for easier cleanup 7

• Light cure through the restoration if translucency permits, or allow self-cure polymerization for opaque restorations 9

  • Dual-cure mode (light activation) provides superior bond strength compared to self-cure mode alone 9
  • Light transmission decreases significantly through restorations >2mm thick 9

Critical Pitfalls to Avoid

• Never skip silane application to ceramic surfaces—this eliminates the chemical bonding mechanism between ceramic and resin cement 3, 4

• Never proceed with cementation if complete dryness cannot be achieved—moisture contamination is a primary cause of restoration failure 5, 6

• Do not apply excessive cement that could pool in margins; use the minimum necessary amount 2

• Avoid contaminating the silanized ceramic surface after treatment and before cementation 5

Material-Specific Considerations

• For zirconia restorations, Panavia F2.0 (containing MDP monomer) provides superior chemical bonding compared to non-MDP containing cements 4

  • MDP creates chemical bonds to zirconia, achieving retention forces of 318±28 N 4

• Panavia F2.0 demonstrates better performance with proper surface preparation of both substrates compared to cementation without these steps 7, 8

• The resin coating technique (dentin bonding + flowable composite) provides bond strengths approaching those of direct composite restorations when used with Panavia F2.0 7