Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the presence and extent of sclerotic dentin and to study its impact on the direction of fracture lines in extracted mandibular first molars of young (20-44 years) and older age groups (45 and older).
Methods: Extracted permanent mandibular first molars were collected along with the related demographic details. A total of 40 teeth were included in this study, 20 each from young age group (YA group) (20-44 years) and older age group (OA group) (45-70 years). All molars were decoronated, and the sectioned mesial roots were embedded in acrylic blocks. They were subjected to vertical force in a universal testing machine. Fractured roots were then examined under the stereomicroscope at ×8 magnification to determine the direction and pattern of the fracture line. The roots were then sectioned and evaluated at ×10 and ×20 magnification to assess the dentin microstructure and its correlation with the direction of the fracture line. Statistical analysis was done by using χ2 test (P < .05).
Results: A greater incidence and degree of sclerotic dentin were found in the OA group as compared with the YA group, which was statistically significant. The sclerotic dentin was distributed predominantly mesiodistally and the fracture line propagated buccolingually in both young and older groups, which was statistically significant (P < .05).
Conclusions: The presence of sclerotic dentin mesiodistally may impede crack propagation in this direction for both young and older age groups, causing the fracture line to extend buccolingually in coronal third of the root.
Keywords: Age related changes; crack propagation; dentin microstructure; direction of fracture line; sclerotic dentin.
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