Comparative evaluation of the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth with different access designs

Abstract

Background: Most important step for successful endodontic treatment is access cavity preparation. However, the removal of tooth structure needed for access cavity leads to compromise of pericervical dentin and remaining dentin thickness undermining the strength of tooth and increasing the root fracture propensity under functional loads. Therefore, in the present study fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth with Traditional endodontic cavity [TEC] to Conservative endodontic cavity [CEC] and pericervical bonding of composite resin in different root filled teeth was evaluated by using Universal Testing Machine. Materials and Methods: Freshly extracted single rooted premolars were selected and randomly divided into two groups: Group 1: Traditional Endodontic Cavity (TEC) (n=24) Group 2: Conservative endodontic cavity (CEC) (n=24) Access cavity preparation and shaping cleaning followed by obturation was done according to the respective groups. The specimens were further subdivided into: 1. GROUP 1a: TEC restored with Cavit 2. GROUP 1b: TEC restored with nanocomposite 3. GROUP 2a: CEC restored with Cavit 4. GROUP 2b: CEC restored with nanocomposite 5. The specimens were then loaded to fracture in Instron Universal Testing machine and the fracture resistance data was further analysed and compared. Results: The mean fracture strength for CEC restored with nanocomposite was significantly higher than all the other groups. (p<0.05) Conclusion: Specimen with CEC showed better fracture resistance when compared with TEC. Pericervical bonding of composite resins contribute in increasing fracture strength for endodontically treated teeth.