title: Fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth restored with a bulkfill flowable material and a resin composite.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine and compare the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth restored with a bulk fill flowable material (SDR) and a traditional resin composite.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty maxillary and 30 mandibular first molars were selected based on similar dimensions. After cleaning, shaping and filling of the root canals and adhesive procedures, specimens were assigned to 3 subgroups for each tooth type (n=10): Group A: control group, including intact teeth; Group B: access cavities were restored with a traditional resin composite (EsthetX; Dentsply-Italy, Rome, Italy); Group C: access cavities were restored with a bulk fill flowable composite (SDR; Dentsply-Italy), except 1.5 mm layer of the occlusal surface that was restored with the same resin composite as Group B. The specimens were subjected to compressive force in a material static-testing machine until fracture occurred, the maximum fracture load of the specimens was measured (N) and the type of fracture was recorded as favorable or unfavorable. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni tests (P<0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant differences were found among groups (P<0.05). Fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth restored with a traditional resin composite and with a bulk fill flowable composite (SDR) was similar in both maxillary and mandibular molars and showed no significant decrease in fracture resistance compared to intact specimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No significant difference was observed in the mechanical fracture resistance of endodontically treated molars restored with traditional resin composite restorations compared to bulk fill flowable composite restorations.
authors.affiliation: Endodontics Unit, Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Almira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Isufi
authors.affiliation: Endodontics Unit, Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Plotino
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola Maria
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.affiliation: Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Technology and Health Department, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ioppolo
authors.affiliation: Endodontics Unit, Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Testarelli
authors.affiliation: Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Technology and Health Department, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bedini
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Al-Sudani
authors.affiliation: Endodontics Unit, Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gambarini
keywords: bulk fill flowable composite; endodontic treatment; fracture resistance; resin composite