Evaluation of fracture resistance of reattached vertical fragments bonded with fiber-reinforced composites: an in vitro study.

AIM: Aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the resistance to fracture of vertically fractured and reattached fragments bonded with fiber-reinforced composites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Root canals of 45 teeth were prepared, and the teeth were intentionally fractured into two separate fragments. Control groups (n = 15 each) consisted unfractured teeth with instrumented and obturated. Fractured teeth were divided into three groups (n = 15) and were attached using (1) dual-cure resin cement (RelyX U100), (2) dual-cure resin cement and polyethylene fiber (Ribbond), (3) dual-cure resin cement and glass fibers (stick-net). Force was applied at a speed of 0.5 mm/min to the root until fracture. RESULTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Group 1 (RelyX U100 group) demonstrated lowest fracture resistance. Group 4 (control group) showed highest fracture resistance followed by group 2 (Ribbond group) and group 3 (Stick-Net groups). Statistically no significant difference was there between groups 2, 3 and 4. CONCLUSION: Vertically fractured teeth can be treated by filling the root canal space with dual-cure adhesive resin cement or by adding polyethylene fiber or glass fiber to increase the fracture resistance of the reattached tooth fragments, an alternative to extraction.