The effect of diabetes on Fracture Resistance of Teeth: An in vitro study

The root fracture resistance (RFR) of premolars extracted from diabetic patients and the effect of biomaterials: white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) and WMTA+Na₂ HPO₄ as an additive, on enhancing RFR were evaluated. Diabetic and non-diabetic teeth were divided into 4 subgroups (n = 5): root canals were obturated with WMTA, WMTA+Na₂ HPO₄ , gutta-percha and one unfilled (control). A plunger (1 mm diameter) applied a downward compressive load with crosshead speed of 1 mm min^-1 on the specimens mounted on resin blocks, and the ultimate force to fracture was measured. The mean RFR values of diabetic specimens were significantly lower. The lowest and highest means of RFR were recorded in the control and WMTA, in normal group and the control and WMTA+Na₂ HPO₄ in the diabetic group, respectively. The RFR in diabetic patients was significantly lower, indicating their higher susceptibility to fracture under vertical forces. The use of WMTA (with or without Na₂ HPO₄ ) for obturation enhances the RFR.