Influence of dentin presealing on the fracture strength of endodontically treated maxillary premolars

This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the influence of endodontic irrigation solutions and resin sealing of the dentin surfaces of the cavity before irrigation on the fracture strength (FS) of maxillary premolars. Seventy-two human maxillary premolars were randomly assigned to 6 groups (n = 12). Group 1 consisted of intact teeth that served as negative controls. In groups 2 to 6, root canal treatment was performed after mesio-occlusal preparation. In group 6, the dentin surfaces of the mesio-occlusal cavity were sealed with a self-adhesive flowable composite resin before instrumentation and irrigation of the canal. The volume and contact time of the irrigation solutions used during endodontic treatment of groups 2, 4, 5, and 6 were standardized as follows: 2 mL of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 1 minute after each file, 5 mL of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for 3 minutes after instrumentation was completed, and 5 mL of 5.25% NaOCl for 1 minute as the final irrigation. In group 3, the irrigation solution was normal saline solution only. After root canal obturation, in group 2, the cavities were left unrestored as a positive control. In groups 3 (saline-rinsed), 4 (conventionally restored), and 6 (presealed), the restorations were carried out with an etch-and-rinse adhesive and composite resin immediately after root canal obturations. In group 5 (delay-restored), the restorations were carried out with an etch-and-rinse adhesive and composite resin after a 1-week delay. After thermomechanical cycling, the teeth were subjected to FS testing under continuous compressive force. Data were analyzed with 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests. The unrestored group, which demonstrated the lowest FS, did not differ significantly from the conventionally restored group; the FS of both groups was significantly lower than that in the other groups (P ≤ 0.001). The presealed group exhibited the highest FS (P ≤ 0.02). The FS values of the saline and delay-restored groups were statistically comparable. In the present study, NaOCl/EDTA irrigation had an adverse effect on the FS. Presealing of the dentin surfaces of the cavity with self-adhesive flowable composite resin significantly increased the FS of aged composite resin-restored premolars.