EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF USING SELF-ETCHING SILANE PRIMERS IN COMPARISON WITH A STANDARD PROTOCOL FOR LITHIUM DISILICATE CERAMICS SURFACE TREATMENT (LITERATURE REVIEW)

In modern dentistry, lithium disilicate-based ceramics are widely used for the fabrication of indirect restorations due to their favorable mechanical and aesthetic properties. Reliable fixation of ceramic restorations to the hard tissues of the tooth is achieved through adhesion, which depends on the proper surface preparation of both the material and the tooth. Alongside traditional treatment with hydrofluoric acid combined with silane application, the use of self-etching ceramic primers that integrate etching and silanization into a single step has gained popularity in recent years. This approach allows for reducing preparation time, minimizing the likelihood of errors during adherence to the adhesive protocol, and decreasing the risk of toxic effects associated with hydrofluoric acid. Due to its relatively recent introduction, research on this method is less extensive compared to that on traditional protocols. Subject. Current data on the efficacy of self-etching silane primers compared to the traditional surface treatment protocol. Objective. Analysis and systematization of studies aimed at comparing various surface treatment methods for lithium disilicate ceramics: hydrofluoric acid with silane versus self-etching silane primers. Materials and Methods. Articles were retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar, eLIBRARY.ru, and CyberLeninka. The included publications were published between 2021 and 2026. Results. Most in vitro studies indicate that silane primers demonstrate bond strengths comparable to and in some cases exceeding those obtained with traditional methods. Although some instances show advantages of the classic protocol, emerging one-step formulations serve as effective alternatives. Conclusions. The application of self-etching silane primers represents an effective technology that enhances clinician efficiency, reduces exposure to toxic substances, and provides stable adhesion of ceramic restorations. To thoroughly assess these agents in clinical settings, further in vivo studies are necessary.