Effect of Different Intraorifice Barriers and Bleaching Agents on the Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Anterior Teeth

Introduction: Intraorifice barriers (IOBs) are usually used before internal bleaching for coronal sealing and the prevention of cervical resorption. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different IOBs on the fracture resistance (FR) of endodontically treated anterior teeth bleached with various bleaching agents (BAs). Methods: After performing root canal treatment for 72 extracted bovine upper incisors, the coronal 3 mm of gutta-percha was removed, and samples were classified into 3 based on the type of IOB: calcium-enriched mixture, mineral trioxide aggregate, and resinmodified glass ionomer. After applying IOBs, samples of each group were subdivided into 4 based on the BA: carbamide peroxide 45% (CP), hydrogen peroxide 35% (HP), sodium perborate (PB), and distilled water as the control. At the end of bleaching, the access cavities were restored with composite resin. The FR was measured with a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. The data were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance and least significant difference post hoc tests (P < .05). Results: The effect of BAs on the FR was significant (P < .05); however, the effect of the IOB and the interactive effect of these variables were not significant (P > .05). The FR in the HP and PB groups was significantly different from the control (P < .05) but that of CP was not significantly different from the control (P > .05). Conclusions: Mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium-enriched mixture act similarly to resin-modified glass ionomer as an IOB. CP, unlike HP and PB, did not significantly decrease the FR.