Fracture resistance and failure modes of lithium disilicate or composite endocrowns

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the fracture strength of endocrowns made of lithium disilicate ceramic and two different indirect resin composites.

Materials and Methods: Forty human mandibular molars were randomly separated into four groups (n = 10 in each group) – Group IN: control group, Group IPS: endocrowns made of lithium disilicate ceramic (IPS e.max CAD, IvoclarVivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein); Group SL: Endocrowns made of Solidex microhybrid composite (Shofu, Ratingen, Germany); and Group GR: Endocrowns made of Grandia microhybrid composite (GC Europa, Leuven, Belgium). In all of the groups, dual‑cure resin cement (Relyx Ultimate Clicker, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) was used to cement the endocrowns. All of the teeth were subjected to fracture by means of a universal testing machine (Instron), and compressive force was applied. The failure type and location after fracture were classified. The data were analyzed using one‑way ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc test, and Chi‑square test (P < 0.05).

Results: Group IPS showed significantly higher fracture strength than Groups SL and GR (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the SL and GR groups (P > 0.05). In Group SL, 80% of the specimens exhibited favorable fractures; also, 60% of the specimens exhibited favorable fracture in group GR, and only 10% of the specimens exhibited favorable fracture in group IPS.

Conclusions: The lithium disilicate ceramic endocrowns exhibited higher fracture resistance than indirect composite groups. Both of the composite endocrowns showed more favorable failure than the lithium disilicate ceramic endocrowns.

Keywords: Composite resins, endocrown, lithium disilicate ceramic