Resistance to fracture of restored endodontically treated teeth

Abstract Endodontically treated teeth were restored by 8 different methods. Copper rings were filled with commercial hard setting cement and the teeth were placed into the cement to the level of the cemento-enamel junction. The teeth were grouped according to restorative methods, mounted in an Instron T.T. machine and subjected to a slowly increasing compressive force until fracture occurred. The force of fracture for each tooth was recorded and the results in the various groups compared. All teeth fractured in a similar manner, irrespective of restorative method used. Preparation of a post space in the roots significantly weakened the teeth. Cementation of a steel parapost with zinc oxyphosphate cement did not significantly strengthen the teeth. Filling the post space and the access cavity with a composite resin following acid etching of the root canal and cavity walls strengthened the teeth more than other methods used to restore them. This finding may be of clinical importance, for instance in the restoration of endodontically treated young teeth with incomplete root formation and wide root canals.