Comparison of fracture resistance of endodontically treated maxillary first premolar with mesio-occlusal-distal access restored with composite resin, fiber post, and prefabricated metal posts restored with/without full-coverage metal crowns.

BACKGROUND

A myriad of materials and procedures have been recommended for restoring the root-filled teeth with significant loss of tooth structure and the most common method being the use of "posts."

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A mesio-occluso-distal preparation was done on eighty intact maxillary first premolars, followed by access preparation and cleaning and shaping with rotary files. All samples were obturated and divided into four groups ( = 20). In Group 1, 3-mm gutta-percha was removed and restored using composite resin; Group 2 - Group 1 + crowns; Group 3 - prefabricated fiber post + crowns; and Group 4 - prefabricated metal post + crowns. All the groups were subdivided into eight groups ( = 10), fractured with 90° vertical and 45° oblique loading by a universal testing machine.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Fracture resistance was analyzed and compared by means of two-factorial two-way analysis of variance and Scheffe's test.

RESULTS

Under 90° loading, the fracture load of teeth restored with the Nayyar's composite resin core and crown was greatest. Under 45° loading, the fracture load of teeth restored with prefabricated metallic posts was significantly ( < 0.05) less than that in other groups. Under 45° load, group with fiber post exhibited significantly ( < 0.05) more number of favorable fractures than other groups.

CONCLUSION

Under the conditions of vertical and oblique loadings, fiber post and composite resin core with a full-coverage crown is the most effective restorative modality for protecting the remaining tooth structure in pulpless teeth.