A composite resin core with a new zirconia tube reduces the surface strain at the cervical area of a mandibular molar: A model tooth study.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the surface strain at the cervical area of endodontically treated molars with a large pulp chamber restored using a composite resin core with three different types of core build-up systems.

Methods: Reproduction models of human mandibular molars with prepared post spaces were used in this study. Roots duplicated with a composite resin were used as the experimental teeth. Three types of core build-up systems were used: composite resin core(RC), composite resin core with fiber posts (FC), and composite resin core with a prefabricated zirconia tube (ZC). Each group comprised eight specimens. Crowns made of yttria partially stabilized zirconia were cemented with dual-cure resin cement. Four strain gauges were attached to the surfaces of each specimen: the cervical area of the root and crown, on the buccal and lingual sides. The surface strain at each cervical area was measured using a static loading test and statistically analyzed.

Results: In the case of static loading to the buccal cusp inner slope, ZC showed a significantly lower strain than RC in the crown on the buccal side and in the root and FC in the root. In the central fossa, ZC showed a significantly lower strain than FC in the root on the lingual side.

Conclusions: The prefabricated zirconia tube reduced the surface strain at the cervical area of the buccal/lingual root in molars; however, the effect was small in the cervical area of the crown.