Compressive strength evaluation of two composites with and without fiber reinforcement used as restorative material in incisal edge: an In-vitro study

Background: To evaluate compressive strength of two composites with and without fiber reinforcement used as restorative material in incisal edge. Material and Methods: Sixty extracted human maxillary incisors were collected and divided into four groups (n=15). In group 1and 3: fracture line is beveled circumferentially, etched with 37% phosphoric acid gel for 15 seconds, bonding agent applied, and the lost tooth structure was incrementally built with nano-composites. In group 2 and 4: grooves are prepared for placing fibers. Fracture line is beveled circumferentially, fiber is placed into the flowable composite in the prepared groove area and remaining portion built incrementally with nano-composite. All samples were subjected to universal testing machine to evaluate compressive strength and observed in stereomicroscope to analyze mode of failure. The obtained data is analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s Post-hoc tests. Results: Group 2 and 4 showed significantly higher fracture resistance. No significant difference is observed between group 1 and 3, group 2 and 4. More mixed failure were seen in group 1 and 3 and cohesive failures in group 2 and 4. Conclusions: Fiber reinforced composites have higher compressive strength which can be used as an treatment option for incisal edge fractures.