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Does incomplete caries removal reduce strength of restored teeth?
M A Hevinga1, N J Opdam, J E Frencken
1College of Dental Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, NL-6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. m.hevinga@dent.umcn.nl
Journal of Dental Research
|September 23, 2010
Summary
Leaving residual caries under dental restorations significantly weakens tooth fracture strength. Incomplete excavation of cavities compromises the tooth-restoration complex, potentially leading to long-term clinical failure.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Mechanics
Background:
- Residual caries beneath dental restorations is a clinical concern.
- Limited data exists on the impact of incomplete caries excavation on tooth fracture strength.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that restored teeth with incomplete caries excavation exhibit reduced fracture strength compared to those with complete excavation.
Main Methods:
- An in vitro study involving 14 pairs of molars.
- Teeth were randomly assigned to incomplete (experimental) or complete (control) caries excavation groups.
- Vertical loading was applied after cyclic loading to determine failure load and fracture mode.
Main Results:
- Teeth with incomplete excavation showed significantly reduced fracture strength (1276 N ± 626 N) versus complete excavation (2768 N ± 710 N).
- Complete excavation group teeth fractured vertically.
- Incomplete excavation group teeth exhibited 'ice-crack' patterns in restorations.
Conclusions:
- Restoring teeth over incompletely excavated caries significantly reduces the fracture strength of the tooth-restoration complex.
- This reduction in strength may increase the risk of long-term clinical failure.
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