Evaluation of fiber-composite laminate in the restoration of immature, nonvital maxillary central incisors.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of fiber-composite laminate, a reinforcement ribbon embedded throughout a composite restoration, to reinforce immature maxillary central incisors. Twenty-six mature maxillary central incisors were prepared a minimum of 3 mm below the facial cementoenamel junction to simulate immature nonvital teeth. They were separated into 3 groups: group 1 was unfilled and served as a control; group 2 was filled to the depth of the preparation with composite; and group 3 was filled with composite and Connect Reinforcement Ribbon. The specimens were subjected to class I loading in an Instron Testing Machine until catastrophic failure occurred. The results indicate a highly significant difference between the groups (p < or = 0.003). Group 1 fractured at an average load of 31.08 kg, group 2 at 51.00 kg, and group 3 at 37.93 kg. These findings suggest that composite alone increases fracture resistance of the immature tooth model more than composite with Reinforcement Ribbon.