Comparison of fracture resistance of simulated immature teeth with an open apex using Biodentine and composite resin: An in vitro study.

AIM: To evaluate the fracture resistance in simulated immature teeth that had been backfilled using composite resin and Biodentine after using Biodentine as an apical plug material immediately and after 3 months of aging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty extracted human maxillary central incisors were simulated in an immature open apex. The roots of all the specimens were then standardized to a length of 10 mm and canals were instrumented to obtain the radicular dentin thickness around 1.5 mm. All the specimens were then randomly divided into three groups of twenty teeth each. Group I (control) - 4 mm apical plug of Biodentine backfilled with thermoplasticized gutta-percha. Group II - 4 mm apical plug of Biodentine and then backfilled with ParaCore. Group III - completely filled with Biodentine. Ten samples from each group were randomly divided into two subgroups. In subgroup A: Specimens were stored for 1 week. In subgroup B: Specimens were stored in phosphate-buffered saline solution for 3 months and were subjected to universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis.

RESULTS: No significant difference in fracture resistance between the groups was observed when tested immediately. After 3 months of aging, only Biodentine group showed a significant reduction in fracture resistance without significant reduction with other two groups.

CONCLUSION: Biodentine group has shown a drastic reduction in fracture resistance after 3 months of aging, and hence cannot be recommended as a reinforcement material in immature teeth with thin dentin walls.