Effect of enamel preparations on fracture resistance of composite resin buildup of fractures involving dentine in anterior bovine teeth: an in vitro study.

Sixty bovine teeth with simulated mesio-incisal angle fracture were randomly and equally divided in one untreated (control) group and three experimental groups (Bevel, Chamfer and newly introduced Stair-step Chamfer preparation group) to evaluate the effect of enamel preparations on the fracture resistance of composite resin. Post restoration, fracture mechanics approach was used to quantify the failure of composite resins in testing the samples in Instron testing machine. Mean peak failure load (Newton) of composite amongst experimental groups was observed in the order; Chamfer (326.09 +/- 72.73), Stair-step chamfer (315.21 +/- 81.77) and Bevel (253.83 +/- 67.38). Results of the One-Way ANOVA revealed significant difference in the mean peak failure load values of the four different groups. (P<0.001) Scheffe's Post-Hoc comparison test (Subset for alpha = 0.05) revealed that there was no significant difference in the mean peak failure load values of the bevel, stair-step chamfer and chamfer preparation when considered together, but the mean peak values of control group (605.22 +/- 48.96) were observed significantly higher. Failure mode evaluation revealed, majority of failures occurred as cohesive and mixed type for all the experimental groups. Adhesive type failure was observed maximum (33%) in the bevel group. Stair-step chamfer preparation showed greatest potential for application and use as it no only demonstrated comparable values to Chamfer preparation ['t' value (0.39) (P > 0.05)] but also involved sacrificing less amount of tooth structure adjacent to fractured edge.