Comparative Evaluation of Fracture Resistance of Fiber-Reinforced Composite and Alkasite Restoration in Class I Cavity

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Tooth-colored restorative materials for the restoration of decayed posterior teeth continue to gain popularity both among dental practitioners and patients. These materials have undergone a number of improvements in recent years to enhance their physical properties and diversify their use as a restorative material relevant to clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the fracture resistance of two such advanced restorative materials, namely EverX Posterior, a fiber-reinforced composite and Cention N, an alkasite material in a Class I Cavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty intact, caries-free human maxillary premolar teeth extracted for orthodontic purposes were divided randomly into four groups of 10 teeth each. Group I were unprepared teeth (intact teeth); Group II were unrestored teeth with class I cavity; Group III were teeth restored with fiber-reinforced composite (EverX Posterior); and Group IV were teeth restored using alkasite material (Cention N). Fracture resistance was recorded for all samples using a universal testing machine. RESULTS: Higher fracture resistance was recorded in intact teeth group followed by EverX Posterior, Cention N and unrestored teeth, respectively. The teeth restored with EverX Posterior showed higher mean fracture resistance to fractures than those restored with Cention N. Teeth restored with EverX Posterior showed no significant difference in mean fracture resistance from Intact teeth while restored teeth with Cention N and unrestored teeth did. CONCLUSION: Fracture resistance of EverX Posterior was comparable to that of the natural tooth and was higher as compared to Cention N.