Effect of fibre-reinforced composite on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the fracture resistance of root-filled teeth restored with fibre-reinforced composite (everX posterior). Fifty mandibular molars were divided into five groups (n = 10). Group 1: no treatment was applied (intact teeth). Group 2-5: canals were prepared and root filled. Group 2: no coronal restoration was placed. Group 3: teeth were coronally restored with composite. Group 4: composite restorations were performed following polyethylene fibre insertion at the cavity base. Group 5: composite resin placed over everX posterior. After thermocycling (5-55°C, 5000×), fracture resistance was measured. Mean force load for each sample was recorded in Newtons (N). Results were statistically analysed with one-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey's tests. The mean force required to fracture samples and standard deviations are as follows: group 1: 2859.5 ± 551.27 N, group 2: 318.97 ± 108.67 N, group 3: 1489.5 ± 505.04 N, group 4: 1958.3 ± 362.94 N, group 5: 2550.7 ± 586.1 N. everX posterior (group 5) was higher than groups 2, 3 and 4 (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between everX posterior and intact teeth (P > 0.05). Placing fibre-reinforced composite under composite increased the fracture strength of root-filled teeth to the level of intact teeth.