COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THE ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF THE ADHESIVE BONDING INTERFACE OF CERAMIC RESTORATIONS USING FIFTH-GENERATION ADHESIVE SYSTEMS BY ELECTRON PROBE MICROANALYSIS (EPMA)

Introduction. Modern dentistry is rapidly evolving due to the introduction of new materials and technologies, among which adhesive systems play a key role, promoting minimally invasive approaches and improving clinical outcomes. Fifth-generation adhesive systems are total-etch systems that form a durable hybrid layer, combining mechanical infiltration with chemical bonding to ensure the strength and longevity of the adhesive interface. Objective. To perform a comparative analysis of the elemental composition of the adhesive interface of fifth-generation adhesive systems with ceramic restorations using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Materials and Methods. A comparative laboratory study was conducted on the adhesive interface of domestic and foreign fifth-generation adhesive systems with lithium disilicate ceramic restorations. Ceramic surfaces were etched and silanized, followed by the application of the adhesive layer with subsequent light curing and incremental placement of a nanohybrid composite material. The elemental composition and distribution within the adhesive interface were determined using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) with a JSM-IT300LV scanning electron microscope (JEOL, Japan) equipped with an X-MaxN 20 detector (Oxford Instruments). Multiple local spectra were analyzed for each sample to evaluate the depth of adhesive infiltration, hybrid layer uniformity, and local chemical interactions between the adhesive, ceramic, and dental tissues. Results. The results confirmed the effectiveness of fifth-generation adhesive systems in forming a reliable adhesive interface. The foreign adhesive system demonstrated a more uniform and stable interface, with clearly visible resin tags and homogeneous elemental distribution. The domestic adhesive system also formed an adhesive interface with a high proportion of polymer matrix and effective surface wetting, confirming its functional performance. Optimization of adhesive filler content and infiltration depth may enhance bond strength and durability. These findings indicate the promise of the domestic adhesive system and its potential to approach the performance level of leading foreign analogues.