Evaluation of a calcium silicate-based cement as a root reinforcement material for endodontically treated maxillary anterior teeth.

Statement Of Problem: Fractures of endodontically treated teeth have been attributed to weakened tooth structure caused by root canal enlargement and post preparation.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of roots filled with either gutta percha, composite resin (LuxaCore Dual), or calcium silicate-based cement (Biodentine).

Material And Methods: One hundred twenty freshly extracted, human, permanent maxillary anterior teeth were sorted by type and assigned to 1 of 4 groups (n=30). The teeth in group NT were not endodontically treated and served as the control. The teeth in groups GP, LC, and, BD were accessed and instrumented to size 40/06. In group GP, the root canals were completely filled with gutta percha. In groups LC and BD, only the apical 5-mm portion of the root canals was filled with gutta percha, and the remaining portion of the root canals was filled with (LuxaCore Dual) in group LC and with (Biodentine) in group BD. Fracture resistance (kN) was assessed at the middle portion of each root, using a 3-point bending test with a universal testing machine exerting a compressive load on a loading pin at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min until fracture occurred. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the mean root fracture resistance among the 4 groups (α=.05).

Results: The mean ± SD fracture loads were 2.13 ±0.53 kN for group NT, 1.97 ±0.60 kN for group GP, 2.18 ±0.71 kN for group LC, and 2.22 ±0.54 kN for group BD. No statistically significant differences were found among the 4 groups (P>.05).

Conclusions: The roots of endodontically treated maxillary anterior permanent incisors filled with gutta percha, Biodentine, or LuxaCore Dual had resistance to fracture similar to that of teeth that were not endodontically treated.