Fracture Strength of Severely Damaged Primary Anterior Teeth after Restoration with Composite Resin and Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement

Restoration of primary anterior teeth with severe caries extending to the gingival margin is challenging for many clinicians especially in uncooperative children. Resin modified glass ionomer cements (RMGICs) can be suitable for use in such cases since they require fewer application steps than composite resins. This study aimed to assess the fracture strength of severely damaged primary anterior teeth after their coronal build-up using RMGIC and composite resin.
This in vitro, experimental study was conducted on 40 primary teeth that met our inclusion criteria. After decoronization, they were cleaned and root canals were filled. In the coronal cavity, one layer of base was applied and an undercut was created in the canal wall above the base. The teeth were divided into two groups of 20 for coronal restoration. In group 1, etching, bonding, intracanal post fabrication and restoration with composite resin were carried out. In group 2, conditioning, intracanal post fabrication and restoration with Fuji II LC RMGIC were performed. After thermal cycles, fracture strength of teeth was measured and compared in the two groups using t-test.
Fracture strength of teeth was not significantly different between two groups restored with composite resin (5.03±2.30 MPa) and RMGIC (5.67±2.38 MPa) (P>0.05)
In the post and crown build up of severely damaged primary anterior teeth with severe caries extending to the gingival margin, Fuji II LC RMGIC can be used as an alternative to composite resin especially in uncooperative children or treatment under general anesthesia.