Comparative evaluation of the force required to fracture coronal segments reattached using different methods

Area of Science:

• Dental Traumatology
• Restorative Dentistry
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Anterior teeth are susceptible to traumatic injuries, necessitating effective management for pulp vitality and aesthetics.
• Fragment reattachment is a viable treatment, but optimal techniques for restoring fracture strength remain debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the fracture resistance of reattached anterior tooth fragments using different restorative techniques.
• Investigate the efficacy of polyethylene fibers in vertical grooves, fiber-reinforced composite posts, and circumferential chamfers.

Main Methods:

• Forty-eight extracted maxillary central incisors were fractured and randomly assigned to four groups: control, polyethylene fibers, fiber posts, and circumferential chamfer.
• Reattachment was performed, followed by specific restorative interventions for each group.
• Fracture resistance was evaluated using a Universal Testing Machine and analyzed statistically.

Main Results:

• The fiber post group exhibited the highest fracture resistance, closest to intact teeth.
• The Ribbond group showed the lowest fracture resistance among the tested methods.
• Significant differences were found between the fiber post group and both the Ribbond and chamfer groups.

Conclusions:

• Fiber-reinforced composite posts offer superior fracture resistance for reattached anterior tooth fragments compared to polyethylene fibers or circumferential chamfers.
• The fiber post technique most closely mimics the mechanical integrity of intact teeth, suggesting its clinical advantage.
• These findings guide the selection of optimal techniques for managing fractured anterior teeth.