Bond Strength and Fracture Resistance of Flowable Bulk Fill Composite Posts and Cores in Endodontically Treated Teeth

OBJECTIVES: Smart dentin replacement (SDR) is a new flowable bulk fill composite with many useful characteristics such as low viscosity and higher depth of cure. This study aimed to evaluate the bond strength and fracture resistance of flowable bulk fill composite posts and cores versus that of fiber posts and cores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty intact, extracted human maxillary central incisor roots were endodontically treated. Group A (n = 20) was prepared for the composite space and group B (n = 20) was prepared for the fiber post space. Group A and B were divided into two subgroups A1 and A2 and B1 and B2, respectively (10 roots for each subgroup). Root canal spaces of group A1 were filled with SDR composite, X-Post fiber post with Core X Flow composite was inserted into the root canal spaces of group B1. Group A2 was restored using SDR and group B2 was restored using post and core composite. Five hundred thermocycles were applied for the sample. Bond strength values were measured for segments in A1 and B1. Fracture force values were measured for specimens of A2 and B2. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between the two paired groups (A1 and B1) and (A2 and B2) in bond strength and fracture force values. CONCLUSION: SDR could be used for restoring endodontically treated teeth.