Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the fracture resistance of three different endocrown materials in pulpotomized primary molars .
Methodology: This in-vitro experimental study was carried out on a total of (n=24) primary second molar teeth. Pulpotomy was performed in all the specimens, then the teeth received a standardized preparation for an endocrown restoration, later they were randomly allocated into three groups (n=8 each), according to the material used for construction, first group: restored by CAD/CAM Milled Hybrid Ceramics (VitaEnamic), second group: restored by CAD/CAM Milled Poly-methyl methacrylate (Telio CAD), and the last group was restored by Nano hybrid Composite resin (Filtek Z250) using an indirect technique.
Results: Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Mann-Whitney U test were used to assess the fracture resistance of different endocrown groups. And the results showed that there was no statistically significant difference in fracture resistance mean values between (Vita Enamic: 1407.53±432.24 N, PMMA: 1399.98±264.18 N and Indirect Composite: 1215.17±207.63 N) between the different groups (P=0.375).
Conclusions: Primary molar teeth restored by endocrown materials whether CAD/CAM milled Vita Enamic or PMMA as well as indirect nano hybrid composite, demonstrated comparable fracture resistance mean values with no statistically significant difference between them, and this reflects that these restorations could be viable alternatives to other treatment modalities that could be less esthetic or less conserving to the tooth structure.