Comparative evaluation of fracture resistance of root canal treated teeth restored with two post endodontic restorative materials: An in vitro analysis

ABSTRACT Aim: This study aims to compare and evaluate the fracture resistance of root canal-treated teeth restored using smart dentin replacement (SDR) and short fiber-reinforced composite (SFC) resin composite. Methods: Forty-eight unrestored, noncarious maxillary premolar teeth, mounted on acrylic blocks, were randomly divided into four groups ( n = 12). The teeth were endodontically treated following a mesio–occlusal–distal (MOD) cavity preparation (except Group I – Positive control. Group II was the negative control (unrestored) and the remaining two groups were restored with two core build-up materials: Group III with SDR flow+ (SureFil SDR Flow+, Dentsply, India) bulk fill flowable composite and Group IV with EverX Posterior™ (GC Company, Tokyo, Japan) SFC. Each group was subsequently subjected to compressive testing until failure, using a universal testing machine. The mean fracture resistance was analyzed statistically and the data were formulated. Results: No statistical significance between Groups I, III, and IV. Group III and IV performed better than Group II and the mean fracture resistance of Group II was lesser than the other groups. Conclusion: Within the constraints of the study, it can be stated that both SDR flow and EverX posterior performed well and were equally effective as a postendodontic restorative material, thus improving the fracture resistance of root canal-treated teeth.