Comparison of Fracture Resistance of Primary Incisors Restored with Different Intracanal-Reinforcement Materials

AIM: To evaluate the effects of placing short posts made of different restorative materials on the fracture resistance of root canals in primary incisors of primary teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The root canals of 40 extracted primary incisors were prepared and filled with Vitapex and randomly divided into five groups of 8 each. In Groups 1–4, a post space was created and filled with different restorative materials (Tetric(®) N-Ceram Bulk Fill, AeliteFlo, Filtek Z250 XT, and GC Fuji II LC(®) capsule), while Group 5 was kept filled with Vitapex as a control. Fracture resistance was measured using a universal testing machine at a 0.5-mm/min crosshead speed. The results were statistically analyzed and compared. RESULTS: The highest fracture resistance was recorded for GC Fuji II LC capsules [439.82 N] and control [423.37 N], while the lowest fracture resistance was recorded for Tetric(®) N Ceram Bulk Fill (239.91 N). A multiple comparison test showed that the Tetric(®) N-Ceram Bulk Fill had a significantly lower average value than AeliteFlo (P = 0.030), as well as a significantly lower average value than GC Fuji II LC(®) capsule (P = 0.001), and a significantly lower average value than the control group (P = 0.002). Multiple comparison tests showed no significant difference between Tetric(®) N-Ceram Bulk Fill and Filtek Z250 XT (P = 0.39). CONCLUSION: The fracture resistance of primary incisor root canals differs according to the material used for the intracanal posts. Three-millimeter intracanal posts in the primary incisors showed the highest fracture resistance for the teeth restored with GC Fuji II LC capsules and the control.