Effect of immediate dentin sealing on load-bearing capacity under accelerated fatigue of thin occlusal veneers made of CAD-CAM glass-ceramic and resin composite material

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess the influence of immediate dentin sealing (IDS) on the fatigue behavior of laminate occlusal veneers fabricated with CAD/CAM lithium disilicate ceramic and resin composite.MethodsForty sound human molars were prepared and randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 10): RC–IDS+ (IDS and resin composite occlusal laminate veneer); RC–IDS- (resin composite occlusal laminate veneer without IDS); LD–IDS+ (IDS and lithium disilicate laminate veneer); LD–IDS- (lithium disilicate occlusal laminate veneer without IDS). The restorations were obtained using a digital workflow. After surface conditioning and bonding, thermocycling and accelerated fatigue tests (20 Hz, 5000 cycles with an initial load of 300 N, step-size of 100 N for 10,000 cycles, up to 1000 N, and then a step-size of 50 N until failure) were conducted. Fatigue data were recorded for both outcomes (crack or fracture) and statistically analyzed. Fractographic and adhesive interface analysis were conducted.ResultsThe indirect resin composite groups showed better fatigue behavior compared to lithium disilicate. IDS only had a positive effect for the survival of resin composite restorations for the ‘fracture’ outcome. Evident presence of micro-gaps at the adhesive interface in the LD–IDS- group could be noted.SignificanceImmediate dentin sealing improved fatigue resistance behavior of resin composite occlusal veneers. However, this effect was not observed in lithium disilicate veneers.