Introduction: A significant loss of dental structures during endodontic treatment increases the probability of tooth cracks, fractures or even tooth loss. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the influence of temporary filling material on dental cracks and fractures during endodontic treatment.
Materials and methods: The literature was digitally searched for in vivo and in vitro studies using Pubmed, ScienceDirect and Wiley Online Library databases. A total of 38 potentially relevant records were identified in the literature search after duplicates were removed. After screening, full-text analysis of selected studies was done. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, extracted the data which was structured and summarized.
Results: Five publications met the selection criteria. Ten temporary filling materials were evaluated in this review. The analysis demonstrated that non-eugenol chemically hardening temporary filling materials significantly increase filling and dental fractures and have the lowest fracture and tooth fracture resistance. Glass ionomer cements (GIC) presented the higher hermetic, tightness and fracture resistance features.
Conclusions: A temporary filling material during endodontic treatment may influence dental cracks and fractures. Highest impact for dental cracks and fractures has ready-to-use, eugenol-free temporary filling materials, whereas the least impact has GIC.