Effect of new obturating materials on vertical root fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth

The aim of this study was to compare vertical forces at fracture of teeth obturated with different materials. Single-rooted teeth were divided into five groups. The first group served as a negative control. The remaining four groups were shaped using ProTaper rotary files (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). The second group was obturated with gutta percha and a zinc oxide sealer. The third group was obturated with EndoRez points and EndoRez sealer (both from Ultradent, South Jordan, UT). The fourth group was obturated with Resilon (Pentron Clinical Technologies, Wallingford, CT) and RealSeal sealer (Pentron Clinical Technologies). The fifth group was obturated with Guttaflow (Colténe/Whaledent, Altstätten, Switzerland). Roots were then fixed into a universal testing machine and loaded with a spreader until fracture. It was found that forces at fracture were statistically significantly higher in the Resilon and EndoRez groups. It was concluded that obturation of roots with resin-based obturation materials (Resilon and EndoRez) increased the resistance of root canal filled teeth to vertical root fracture.