Effect of cavity preparation design on the fracture resistance of directly and indirectly restored premolars

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of human premolars with extensive cavity preparations of the inlay and onlay types, for performing direct and indirect composite resin restorations.
Methods: Eight-four premolars were divided into 7 groups (n=12): G1=intact teeth; G2=inlay/Filtek Z-250 direct; G3=inlay/ Filtek Z-250 light polymerized indirectly; G4=inlay/ Solidex; G5=onlay/ Filtek Z-250 direct; G6=onlay/ Filtek Z-250 light polymerized indirectly; G7=onlay/ Solidex. Indirect Filtek Z250 restorations were light activated using the EDG-lux oven. All samples were submitted to axial compression load in a Universal Testing Machine until fracture. The data were submitted to the one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (a=0.05).
Results: The results (N) were: G6-1938a, G5-1570ab, G7-1285b, G1-1215b, G4-1174b, G3-1146b and G2-1112b. The onlay cavities restored indirectly with Filtek Z-250 presented significantly higher fracture resistance (G6) than the other groups, except for onlay restorations made directly with Filtek Z-250 (G5), which, in turn, did not differ significantly from the other groups. However, the onlay restorations made with Filtek Z-250 led to more catastrophic failure modes.
Conclusions: 1. Adhesive inlay restorations, irrespective of the type of composite resin and light-activation technique used, restored the fracture resistance of intact teeth.

Keywords
composite resin, fracture resistance, cavity preparation, restorative technique, indirect restoration.