Effect of post type and restorative techniques on the strain and fracture resistance of flared incisor roots

Restoring flared endodontically treated teeth continues to be a challenge for clinicians. This study evaluated the effect of post types and restorative techniques on the strain, fracture resistance, and fracture mode of incisors with weakened roots. One hundred five endodontically treated bovine incisors roots (15 mm) were divided into 7 groups (n=15). The two control groups were (C) intact roots restored with Cpc (cast posts and core) or Gfp (glass fiber posts). The five experimental groups were (F) flared roots restored with GfpAp (Gfp associated with accessory glass fiber posts), GfpRc (anatomic Gfp, relined with composite resin), and GfpRcAp (anatomized Gfp with resin and accessory glass fiber posts). All teeth were restored with metal crowns. Mechanical fatigue was performed with 3x10(5)/50 N. Specimens were loaded at 45º, and the strain values (μS) were obtained on root buccal and proximal surfaces. Following that, the fracture resistance (N) was measured. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests (α=0.05) were applied, and failure mode was checked. No significant difference in strain values among the groups was found. Cpc presented lower fracture resistance and more catastrophic failures in flared roots. Gfp associated with composite resin or accessory glass fiber posts seems to be an effective method to improve the biomechanical behavior of flared roots.

Restaurar dentes tratados endodonticamente continua sendo desafio para clínicos. Este estudo avaliou o efeito de pinos e técnicas na deformação, resistência à fratura e padrão de fratura de incisivos com canal radicular alargado. Cento e cinco raízes bovinas, tratadas endodonticamente (15 mm) foram divididas em 7 grupos (n=15). Os grupos controle (C), constituídos de raízes não alargadas, foram restauradas com Cpc (núcleo metálico fundido) ou Gfp (pino de fibra de vidro). Nos grupos experimentais os canais foram alargados (F) e restaurados com: GfpAp (Gfp associado com pinos de fibra de vidro acessórios); GfpRc (pino anatômico, reembasado com resina composta) e GfpRcAp (pino anatomizado com resina composta e pinos acessórios). Os dentes foram restaurados com coroas metálicas. Fadiga mecânica foi simulada com 3x10(5)/50 N ciclos. O teste foi realizado a 45º e a deformação (μS) obtida nas superfícies vestibular e proximal. Em seguida, a resistência à fratura (N) e o padrão de fratura foram verificados. Aplicou-se ANOVA e Teste de Tukey (α=0,05). Não houve diferença na deformação. Cpc resultou em menor resistência à fratura e com mais fraturas catastróficas em raízes fragilizadas. As técnicas de reembasamento do pino com resina composta ou o uso de pinos acessórios parecem ser efetivos para melhorar o comportamento biomecânico de raízes fragilizadas.

Cast metal core adaptation using two impression materials and intracanal techniques

Aim: This study evaluated the adaptation of cast metal cores (CMCs) using two impression materials and two intracanal impression techniques. Methods: Ten single-rooted human teeth had their root canals prepared to receive a CMC. Intracanal impressions were obtained with addition and condensation silicone materials using two types of intraradicular supports: hypodermic needle or prefabricated polycarbonate posts. Four impressions were obtained from each tooth totalizing 40 models, on which CMCs were prepared. CMC adaptation to the canal was analyzed radiographically and microscopically. The teeth were radiographed with the CMC positioned and the images were analyzed using an image-analysis software (ImageLab). In the second analysis, the teeth were sectioned longitudinally and the CMC adaptation was evaluated with a two-coordinate microscope. In both analyses, CMC adaptation to the canal was determined by calculating the percentage of the prepared canal space that was occupied by the core. Results: Statistically significant difference (2-way ANOVA - Bonferroni; p<0.05) was found between the mean values CMC adaptation obtained with the two intraradicular supports. Conclusions: The intracanal impression technique using hypodermic needle allowed a more accurate reproduction of the prepared canal space and provided significantly better CMC adaptation when the cores were obtained from addition silicone impressions.