Fracture resistance in severely damaged primary maxillary central incisors restored with glass fiber and composite posts: An in vitro study.

BACKGROUND

A variety of non-metal prefabricated posts, including fiber posts, can be used as an alternative to metal posts due to their numerous feasible characteristics. Further research is necessary to assess physical and mechanical properties of restorations supported by intracanal posts in primary teeth.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to compare fracture resistance of maxillary central incisors that were extensively restored with glass fiber and composite posts.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A total of 40 primary maxillary central incisors were randomly divided into 4 equal groups. Group 1 received conventional intracanal composite posts, group 2 was treated with prefabricated intracanal glass fiber posts, group 3 received precured intracanal composite posts, and group 4 was treated with intracanal lucent glass fiber posts. Crowns were restored using composite resin, and the specimens were subsequently exposed to 5,000 thermal cycles and progressive load at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min until fracture. The fracture resistance values were compared via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's test for pairwise comparisons (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

The highest fracture resistance was observed in the lucent post group (343.2 N), followed by the prefabricated glass fiber post (284.8 N), conventional composite post (270.3 N) and precured composite post (261.1 N) groups, respectively. A statistically significant difference in the mean fracture resistance was observed among the 4 groups (p < 0.05). Pairwise comparisons revealed that the mean fracture resistance of the lucent post group was significantly higher than that of the other groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

All of the intracanal posts provided apt fracture resistance and can be used to restore severely damaged primary maxillary central incisors. However, lucent posts demonstrated significantly higher levels of fracture resistance.