Effect of Ferrule Thickness on Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Incisors Restored with Fiber Post and Metal Crown

Purpose: To assess the influence of ferrule thickness on the fracture resistance and failure mode of endodontically treated bovine incisors and to predict the long-term prognosis, as well as choose the most suitable clinical treatment, for teeth with different ferrule thicknesses. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 endodontically treated bovine incisors were restored with quartz fiber posts and metal crowns and separated into five groups (n = 10 each): no ferrule (group A); 0.5-mm–thick ferrule (group B); 1.0-mm–thick ferrule (group C); 1.5-mm–thick ferrule (group D); and 2.0-mm–thick ferrule (group E). All specimens were subjected to a fatigue loading test (2.33 Hz, 50 N, 300,000 cycles). Survived specimens were loaded until fracture on a universal testing machine at an angle of 135 degrees and a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/minute. Failure modes and fracture resistance were recorded. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and least significant difference tests. Results: A significant increase (P .05) was detected in fracture resistance with increase in ferrule thickness. Group D (1.5 mm) and group E (2.0 mm) showed significantly higher fracture resistance than the other three groups. All failures belonged to restorable fracture patterns. Conclusion: Ferrule thickness contributed significantly to the fracture resistance of endodontically treated bovine incisors restored with quartz fiber posts and metal crowns. Teeth with ferrule thickness of ≥ 1.5 mm can achieve higher fracture resistance and have a better long-term prognosis.