Effect of Combination of Flowable and Packable Composite Resins on Restorative Compressive Strength

Abstract

Teeth with complex cavities often have a compromised hard tissue structure, making them susceptible to fractures. This necessitates the use of restoration materials capable of effectively replacing the lost tooth structure, particularly when the damage results from caries, trauma, excessive preparation, or root canal treatment. Recent advancements in composite resin materials include flowable and packable composites reinforced with short fibres, which can enhance mechanical properties by improving fracture resistance through fibre reinforcement. This study aims to evaluate the impact of combining flowable composite resins with short fibre-reinforced composites versus combining packable composites with flowable short fibre-reinforced composites on compressive strength. A laboratory experimental approach was employed, involving 48 cylindrical samples divided into 8 groups. Each group was restored with a combination of flowable composite resin and packable composite with a base of short-fibre reinforced composite, polymerized using light curing. Compressive strength was tested using a universal testing machine, and results were analyzed with a 2-way ANOVA statistical test. The analysis revealed a significant difference in compressive strength (p<0.001) among the groups. The findings indicate that incorporating short-fibre reinforced composite materials as the restoration base significantly enhances the overall compressive strength of the restoration. This underscores the potential for improved durability and fracture resistance in dental restorations using these advanced composite materials.