Effect of dentinal tubules and resin-based endodontic sealers on fracture properties of root dentin.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of dentinal tubules in the fracture properties of human root dentin and whether resin-filled dentinal tubules can enhance fracture resistance.


METHODS
Crack propagation in human root dentin was investigated in 200 microm thick longitudinal samples and examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. 30 maxillary premolar teeth were prepared for work of fracture (Wf) test at different tubule orientations, one perpendicular and two parallel to dentinal tubules. Another 40 single canal premolars were randomly divided into four groups of 10 each: intact dentin, prepared but unobturated canal, canal obturated with epoxy rein (AH Plus/gutta percha), or with UDMA resin sealer (Resilon/RealSeal. The samples were prepared for Wf test parallel to dentinal tubules. Wf was compared under ANOVA with statistical significance set at p<0.05.


RESULTS
Dentinal tubules influenced the path of cracks through dentin, with micro-cracks initiated in peritubular dentin of individual tubules ahead of the main crack tip. A significant difference (p<0.001) was found between Wf perpendicular to tubule direction (254.9 J/m(2)) vs. parallel to tubule direction from inner to outer dentin (479.4 J/m(2)). Neither canal preparation nor obturation using epoxy- or UDMA-based resins as sealer cements substantially influenced fracture properties of root dentin, despite extensive infiltration of dentinal tubules by both sealer cements.
Jainaen
Angsana
A
School of Dental Science, The University of Melbourne, 720 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
Palamara
Joseph E A
JE
Messer
Harold H
HH
D000293:Adolescent; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003804:Dentin / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D006171:Gutta-Percha / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D019279:Resin Cements / Q000737:chemistry*; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D012389:Root Canal Obturation; D018915:Root Canal Preparation; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D055815:Young Adult
D003188:Composite Resins; D004853:Epoxy Resins; C511498:Real Seal composite resin; D019279:Resin Cements; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; C534916:epoxy resin-based root canal sealer; C486892:resilon sealer; D006171:Gutta-Percha