Resistance to compression of weakened roots subjected to different root reconstruction protocols.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated, in vitro, the fracture resistance of human non-vital teeth restored with different reconstruction protocols.


METHODS
Forty human anterior roots of similar shape and dimensions were assigned to four groups (n=10), according to the root reconstruction protocol: Group I (control): non-weakened roots with glass fiber post; Group II: roots with composite resin by incremental technique and glass fiber post; Group III: roots with accessory glass fiber posts and glass fiber post; and Group IV: roots with anatomic glass fiber post technique. Following post cementation and core reconstruction, the roots were embedded in chemically activated acrylic resin and submitted to fracture resistance testing, with a compressive load at an angle of 45º in relation to the long axis of the root at a speed of 0.5 mm/min until fracture. All data were statistically analyzed with bilateral Dunnett's test (α=0.05).


RESULTS
Group I presented higher mean values of fracture resistance when compared with the three experimental groups, which, in turn, presented similar resistance to fracture among each other. None of the techniques of root reconstruction with intraradicular posts improved root strength, and the incremental technique was suggested as being the most recommendable, since the type of fracture that occurred allowed the remaining dental structure to be repaired.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this in vitro study suggest that the healthy remaining radicular dentin is more important to increase fracture resistance than the root reconstruction protocol.
School of Dentistry, Sagrado Coração University, Bauru, SP, Brazil. lucaszogheib@yahoo.com.br
Lucas Villaça
LV
Zogheib
Guilherme de Siqueira Ferreira Anzaloni
Gde S
Saavedra
Paula Elaine
PE
Cardoso
Márcia Carneiro
MC
Valera
Maria Amélia Máximo de
MA
Araújo
D003188:Composite Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019245:Compressive Strength; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D011176:Post and Core Technique; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000379:methods; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000628:therapy
D003188:Composite Resins; C009753:fiberglass