Reinforcing simulated vital pulpotomized teeth as an alternate to invasive procedures: An in vitro study

Aim: The aim is to compare and evaluate the fracture resistance of simulated pulpotomy-treated tooth reinforced with different reinforcing materials. Methods: Forty-five extracted human permanent central incisors were collected of approximately similar dimensions for this in vitro study. To simulate pulpotomy procedure, each tooth was sectioned through the middle third of the crown perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth, resulting in 6 mm cervicoincisal height (mimicking Ellis Class III fracture). Later, all the teeth were divided into four experimental ( n = 10 each) and a control group ( n = 5), according to the reinforcing materials used: Group A – microhybrid composite, Group B – stainless steel, Group C – polypropylene mesh, Group D – Rebilda post, and Group E – control group (natural tooth). The reinforcing materials were placed parallel to the long axis of the tooth, such that it lies 3 mm into the pulp chamber and 3 mm in the coronal portion, over which the composite restorations were placed. All the specimens were subjected to the universal testing machine for fracture resistance. Results: The data obtained were tabulated and statistically analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis and Tukey’s post hoc test. Stainless steel material exhibited statistically significant values among the experimental groups and the control group, whereas the values of polypropylene mesh, microhybrid composite, and Rebilda post were nonsignificant. Conclusion: Stainless steel wire can be used as a reinforcing material in pulpotomy treated tooth with extensive loss of tooth structure and could be an effective alternate for crown coverage.