Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pulpal extension depth (PED) is critical for endocrowns restored teeth stability and longevity. There is a conflicting result regarding the minimum PED needed for the success of endocrowns. The aim of the current study was to compare Fracture resistance, failure mode, and restorability of CAD-CAM zirconia endocrowns with different pulpal extension depths bonded to maxillary molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty maxillary 1st molars were selected, decoronated, and randomly divided into 4 main groups (n = 10) according to the PED measured from the pulpal floor to the occlusal end of the wall height into; group D2, PED was 2 mm, group D3, PED was 3 mm, group D4, PED was 4 mm, group D5 PED was 5 mm. Teeth were prepared and secured in resin dies with pseudo periodontal ligament. Specimens from all groups were individually scanned using an intra oral digital scanner. Monolithic zirconia endocrowns were constructed and bonded to their corresponding. Following thermal cycling, each specimen was axially loaded in a universal testing machine at a 0.5 mm/min crosshead speed. Failure modes were inspected, and restorability of specimens was recorded. Data was collected, tabulated, and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Descriptive statistics displayed higher mean value of the D2 group (3657 1673.8 N) followed by the D3 group (3009.3 853.5 N), then the D4 group (2087.3 413.9 N) and finally the D5 group (1972.7 ±330.4 N). At a 95% confidence level, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences between tested groups. (P = 0.014). Regarding failure mode, D2 recorded 100% restorable failures, followed by D3 (90%) and D4 (60%), while the least was D5 (50%). CONCLUSIONS: Endocrowns with 2 mm PED recorded the highest fracture resistance and the highest restorable failure modes. Endocrowns with 5 mm PED recorded the lowest fracture resistance and the lowest restorable failure modes. Tall walls should be shortened during the preparation of endocrowns in maxillary molars.