Objectives: To evaluate interfacial shear bond strength between commercially pure titanium and low fusing ceramic after surface treatments of titanium. To determine which surface treatment was superior and can provide interfacial shear bond strength value comparable with nickel chromium and low fusing ceramic. Methods: 88 discs of titanium and 10 discs of nickel chromium were obtained and the titanium discs were subjected to the following surface treatments: no surface treatment, sand blasted with alumina particles (250µm), acid etched in a HNO3 /HF solution, bonding agent, sandblasting and acid treatment, acid etching and bonding agent, sandblasting plus bonding agent application, all surface treatments. After treatments, discs were ultrasonically cleaned and ceramic was fired. They were embedded in acrylic blocks and universal testing machine was used to obtain bond strength values. One disc from each group was sent for study of surface topography using scanning electron microscope. Results: The bond strength values of all groups were statistically significant. The mean interfacial shear bond strength was highest in nickel chromium group followed by the group that was sand blasted and bonding agent. The least bond strength value was seen in the group that received no treatment. Significance: Sandblasting and use of bonding agent result in enhanced bonding between commercially pure titanium and low fusing ceramic not comparable to the bond strength provided by nickel chromium. Further studies have to be done for a more suitable surface treatment that will result in a bond strength comparable to that between nickel chromium and ceramic.
