Abstract
Background: This in vitro study evaluated the influence of different access cavity configurations on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated mandibular molars.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-six extracted human mandibular molars were divided into three main groups (n=12 per group) based on the endodontic access cavity preparation (traditional, conservative, truss). Standardized endodontic treatment was performed on all teeth, followed by core build-up. Specimens were subjected to compressive testing using a universal testing machine to determine the fracture resistance of the molars within each experimental group. Means and standard deviations were calculated for each group, and data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey post hoc test.
Results: Comparative analysis between conservative, truss and traditional endodontic access cavity designs revealed a potential trend towards increased fracture resistance for the conservative and truss access cavity designs, though this difference had no statistical significance (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Minimal invasive access cavity preparations did not significantly enhance fracture resistance compared to traditional methods. There are other factors beyond endodontic access cavity configurations, such as restorative materials and overall tooth integrity, might exert a more substantial influence on fracture resistance. Further investigation is needed to optimize treatment outcomes and reduce fracture risk in endodontically treated teeth.