The effect of composite fiber insertion along with low-shrinking composite resin on cuspal deflection of root-filled maxillary premolars.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of three methods of composite fiber placement along with siloranebased composite resin on cuspal deflection and fracture strength of root-filled maxillary premolars.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mesio-occluso-distal cavities were prepared in 60 extracted premolars subsequent to endodontic treatment. The remaining thickness of buccal and lingual walls at height of contour was 2.5 ± 0.2 mm and the gingival cavosurface margin was 1.5 mm coronal to cementoenamel junction. Subsequent to measurement of primary intercuspal distances, the teeth were randomly divided into four groups. In group 1, the cavities were only filled with Filtek Silorane composite resin. In the other three groups, preimpregnated glass fibers were placed at gingival, middle and occlusal thirds respectively, and the cavities were restored similar to the group 1. Cuspal deflection was recorded in micrometer using a stereomicroscope. Fracture strength of the samples was measured in Newton subsequent to thermocycling. Data was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey tests at a significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS: The highest cuspal deflection was recorded in the group 1, and the difference between group 1 and other groups was significant (p < 0.001). Fracture resistance in group 4 was significantly higher than that in other groups (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: In restoring root-filled premolars with siloranebased composite resins, cuspal deflection decreased with the use of preimpregnated glass fibers.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Using preimpregnated glass fibers along with silorane-based composite resin may lead to better results in cuspal deflection and fracture resistance of endodonticallytreated maxillary premolars.