Resistance to fracture of roots filled with three different techniques.

AIM

To compare the fracture resistance of roots filled with different materials.

METHODOLOGY

Thirty-four freshly extracted human maxillary central incisor teeth with similar dimension were selected. Crowns were sectioned at the cemento-enamel junction, and the length of the roots were adjusted to 13 mm. Following the preparation of the root canals and final irrigation with EDTA and saline, the 10 root canals in group 1 were filled with Resilon cones and Epiphany sealer, the 10 root canals in group 2 were filled with gutta-percha and AH 26 and the 10 root canals in group 3 were filled with gutta-percha and MCS Canal Sealer. All materials were used with a cold lateral condensation technique. Four root canals remained unfilled and were used as a control group. Tests for fracture strength were performed using a universal testing machine and a round tip that had a diameter of 4 mm. The force was applied vertically with a constant speed of 1 mm min(-1). For each root, the force at the time of fracture was recorded in Newtons. Results were evaluated statistically with ANOVA and Tukey Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) tests.

RESULTS

The mean force of fracture values was 1043 N, 967 N, 859 N and 517.5 N for groups 3, 1 and 2 and the control group, respectively. There was a significant difference (P < 0.01) between the experimental groups and the control group. No significant differences were found between the three experimental groups.

CONCLUSIONS

All the materials used in the present study reinforced the prepared root canals.