Influence of access cavity design on fracture strength of endodontically treated lower molars.

To assess whether access cavity design influences the fracture strength of endodontically treated and restored molars. Fifty human lower molars with standard crown dimensions were selected and assigned to the following groups: S - positive control (healthy tooth), ET - negative control (conventional endodontic access (CEA) and no restoration), NI - negative control (minimally invasive endodontic access (MEA) and no restoration), ETR (CEA + restoration with Bulkfill flow) and NIR (MEA + restoration with Bulkfill flow). The specimens were subjected to a compression test.