Summary
This study evaluated the fracture resistance of maxillary premolars with wide Mesial-Occlusal-Distal (MOD) cavity preparations and unsupported cusps restored by four ways, compared with intact teeth. Thirty five human teeth were divided into five groups: control (G1 – intact teeth) and four experimental groups of MOD-prepared teeth: with buccal (B) and lingual (L) cusps reinforced with composite (Z-250) and restored with silver amalgam (Permite C) (G2); teeth with B and L cusps reinforced and linked with composite (P-60) and restored with silver amalgam (Permite C) (G3); teeth restored with composite (Z-250) by incremental fill technique (G4); and teeth with B and L cusps reinforced and linked with composite (P-60) and restored with composite (Z-250) by incremental fill technique (G5). After thermal cycling (500 cycles, 5°C to 55°C), fracture resistance was tested in a universal testing machine. Statistical analysis of the results (ANOVA) revealed no significant difference (p>0.5) among the groups (G1=157.78Kgf, G2=183.99Kgf, G3=152.53Kgf, G4=182.61Kgf and G5=155.96Kgf). Visual analysis of the teeth tested showed predominance of oblique failure pattern. The four types of restoration evaluated provide fracture resistance with values equivalent to intact teeth in MOD-prepared intact teeth with parallel walls and composite-reinforced cusps.
KEY WORDS: fracture resistance, composite, dental amalgam.
How to cite this article
FERREIRA, M. C. C. G.; ORSI, I. A.; BORIE-ECHEVARRÍA, E. & BORIE, E. Evaluation of composite reinforcement on the fracture resistance of teeth with unsupported cusps. Int. J. Odontostomat., 8(1):133-139, 2014.
