Influence of overlay restorative materials and load cusps on the fatigue resistance of endodontically treated molars.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the influence of restorative materials and load cusps on the fatigue resistance of endodontically treated molars.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

Thirty extracted molars received root canal treatment followed by a standardized tooth preparation (3-mm cuspal reduction and immediate dentin sealing). Twenty Cerec 3 overlays (Sirona Dental Systems) were milled in the ceramic Vita MKII block (Vident; groups MKIIGL and MKIIGL-Z, oven-glazed), and 10 restorations were duplicated with a composite resin (Miris 2, Coltane/Whaledent; group M2). The fitting surfaces of the restorations were hydrofluoric acid etched (porcelain only) and silanated. Preparations were airborne-particle abraded and etched. All restorations were luted with preheated Filtek Z100 (3M ESPE) and subjected to cyclic isometric chewing (5 Hz) starting at 200 N (5,000 cycles), followed by stages of 400, 600, 800, 1,000, 1,200, and 1,400 N at a maximum of 30,000 cycles each. A stainless steel load sphere was used for groups MKIIGL and M2, while a composite resin load sphere was used in group MKIIGL-Z. All samples were loaded until fracture or to a maximum of 185,000 cycles. Groups were compared using the Kaplan-Meier survival curves (P = .05).

RESULTS

None of the molars restored with porcelain withstood all 185,000 loading cycles (survival = 0%). The mean fracture load for MKIIGL was 1,060 N and for MKIIGL-Z, 1,280 N. In group M2, the survival rate was 50%. The rate of fracture below the CEJ was 40%, 30%, and 20% for MKIIGL, MKIIGL-Z, and M2, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Miris 2 overlays showed higher fatigue resistance than MKII porcelain (P = .01) when loaded with a stainless steel antagonist.