A comparative evaluation of different restorative technique using polyethylene fibre in reinforcing the root-filled teeth: An in vitro study"

Aim: The purpose of any restorative material is not only to restore the decayed of defective tooth and provide an effective seal between the restoration and the tooth, but also to strengthen it. Endodontic treatment removes the vital contents of the canal, leaving the tooth pulpless and resulting in teeth with calcified tissues that contain significantly less moisture than that of vital teeth. The restorative material should be as much as strong, which support the endodontically treated tooth against the occlusal forces. Thus, the present study was undertaken to evaluate different restorative technique using the polyethylene fiber in reinforcing the root-filled teeth. Materials and Methods: 50 freshly extracted maxillary premolar human teeth were taken. All teeth were divided into 2 groups, the control and experimental group), sub group I (had unrestored mesial occlusal distal [MOD] cavities), sub group II (where MOD cavities were filled with composite), sub group III (where polyethylene fiber placed occlusally on the composite restoration) and sub group IV (had polyethylene fiber inserted under the composite the restorations). The specimens were then placed into a universal testing machine. A vertical compressive force was applied at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min and the force necessary to fracture. Results: Fracture resistance was significantly highest in sub group III as compared to sub group IV, sub group II and sub group I. Conclusion: This study concluded that use of polyethylene fiber inserted over or under the restoration significantly increased the fracture strength of the root canal treated teeth and when the fiber was placed on the occlusal surface of the restoration from a buccal to lingual direction significantly higher fracture resistance was observed.