Purpose: To compare the effect of the immediate dentin sealing (IDS) and resin cement type on fracture resistance of Class II mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) zirconia inlay restorations.
Methods: 90 Class II MOD cavities on freshly extracted human mandibular third molars, prepared with a high-speed handpiece, were divided into two groups: those with IDS (CR+) and without IDS (CR-). The CEREC system was used to prepare zirconia inlays from Katana super translucent multi-layered blocks. The inlays were cemented with one of three resin cements: RelyX Unicem 2 (RU), Multilink Automix (MA), or Super-Bond (SB). These specimens were stored in water at 37°C for 24 hours and exposed to 5,000 thermal cycles. A vertical load was applied with a metal sphere (Φ 6-mm) on a material testing system, with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/minute, until the specimen fractured. Fracture resistance was measured for each tooth, and the fractures were categorized according to Burke's classification. Statistical analyses were conducted using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's honest significant difference tests (P< 0.05).
Results: No significant differences in tooth fracture resistance were identified between the CR+ and CR- groups. The SB group had a significantly higher fracture resistance compared to that of the MA group. Fracture morphology showed many mode IV fractures in all groups. IDS did not affect tooth fracture resistance, although there was a significant difference in tooth fracture resistance for different resin cement types used with Class II MOD zirconia inlay restorations.
Clinical significance: Zirconia inlay restorations provide excellent mechanical performance, morphology, and esthetic appearance. In vitro, zirconia inlays cemented with any luting resin cement restored tooth fracture resistance to levels similar to that of intact teeth. Fracture resistance varied among the different resin cements.
Copyright©American Journal of Dentistry.