Influence of Cement Thickness, Dentine Thickness, and Intracoronal Depth on the Fracture Resistance of 3D-Printed Endocrowns: A Pilot In Vitro Study

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Endodontically treated molars are structurally weakened due to internal tissue loss, increasing their risk of fracture. Endocrowns, developed as a conservative alternative to post–core systems, have gained popularity with the rise of digital dentistry, CAD/C...

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Main Authors: Osama Abuabboud, Adrian-George Marinescu, Mihai Paven, Izabella-Maria Kovacs, Luminita Maria Nica, Andrei-Bogdan Faur, Dan Ioan Stoia, Anca Jivănescu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Dentistry Journal
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/13/6/263
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author Osama Abuabboud
Adrian-George Marinescu
Mihai Paven
Izabella-Maria Kovacs
Luminita Maria Nica
Andrei-Bogdan Faur
Dan Ioan Stoia
Anca Jivănescu
author_facet Osama Abuabboud
Adrian-George Marinescu
Mihai Paven
Izabella-Maria Kovacs
Luminita Maria Nica
Andrei-Bogdan Faur
Dan Ioan Stoia
Anca Jivănescu
author_sort Osama Abuabboud
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Endodontically treated molars are structurally weakened due to internal tissue loss, increasing their risk of fracture. Endocrowns, developed as a conservative alternative to post–core systems, have gained popularity with the rise of digital dentistry, CAD/CAM workflows, and 3D-printed restorations. In this context, the aim of the present pilot study was to investigate the influence of cement layer thickness, intracoronal depth, and dentine wall thickness on the fracture resistance of molars restored with 3D-printed endocrowns. <b>Methods:</b> Twelve extracted human molars were endodontically treated and restored with endocrowns fabricated from a 3D-printed resin material, SprintRay Crown<sup>TM</sup> (SprintRay Inc. Los Angeles, CA, USA), via masked stereolithography (MSLA) on a Prusa SL1 printer. Cementation was performed using RelyX Universal Resin Cement (3M, Maplewood, MN USA). Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to measure the dentine thickness and intracoronal depth before cementation and cement thickness after cementation. The fracture resistance was evaluated using a universal testing machine. For each variable (Td, Dp, Tc), the 12 specimens were divided into two groups (<i>n</i> = 6). Statistical analysis included Pearson correlation, a one-way ANOVA, and the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test. <b>Results:</b> Within the limitations of this pilot in vitro study, cement thickness demonstrated a strong positive correlation with fracture resistance (r = 0.577) and was the only variable showing statistical significance in the ANOVA (F = 7.847, <i>p</i> = 0.019). In contrast, intracoronal depth and dentine wall thickness exhibited weaker and nonsignificant correlations. No significant mechanical advantage was observed from increasing the pulp chamber depth or peripheral dentine wall thickness. This result was further supported by nonparametric Mann–Whitney U testing (<i>p</i> = 0.015). <b>Conclusions</b>: Cement layer thickness is a key biomechanical factor influencing the fracture resistance of endocrown restorations. Preparation depth and dentine wall geometry appear to have a less direct impact.
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spelling doaj-art-75b52bef84644b079df653bd1e62f16e2025-08-20T03:26:56ZengMDPI AGDentistry Journal2304-67672025-06-0113626310.3390/dj13060263Influence of Cement Thickness, Dentine Thickness, and Intracoronal Depth on the Fracture Resistance of 3D-Printed Endocrowns: A Pilot In Vitro StudyOsama Abuabboud0Adrian-George Marinescu1Mihai Paven2Izabella-Maria Kovacs3Luminita Maria Nica4Andrei-Bogdan Faur5Dan Ioan Stoia6Anca Jivănescu7Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, TADERP Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, RomaniaDepartment of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, TADERP Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, RomaniaDepartment of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, TADERP Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, RomaniaDepartment of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, TADERP Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, RomaniaDepartment of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, TADERP Research Center, Faculty of Dentistry, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, RomaniaDepartment of Prosthodontics, TADERP Research Center, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeș”, B-dul Revoluției 1989, No. 9, 300580 Timișoara, RomaniaDepartment of Mechanics and Strength of Materials, Politehnica University Timișoara, 300006 Timișoara, RomaniaDepartment of Prosthodontics, TADERP Research Center, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babeș”, B-dul Revoluției 1989, No. 9, 300580 Timișoara, Romania<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Endodontically treated molars are structurally weakened due to internal tissue loss, increasing their risk of fracture. Endocrowns, developed as a conservative alternative to post–core systems, have gained popularity with the rise of digital dentistry, CAD/CAM workflows, and 3D-printed restorations. In this context, the aim of the present pilot study was to investigate the influence of cement layer thickness, intracoronal depth, and dentine wall thickness on the fracture resistance of molars restored with 3D-printed endocrowns. <b>Methods:</b> Twelve extracted human molars were endodontically treated and restored with endocrowns fabricated from a 3D-printed resin material, SprintRay Crown<sup>TM</sup> (SprintRay Inc. Los Angeles, CA, USA), via masked stereolithography (MSLA) on a Prusa SL1 printer. Cementation was performed using RelyX Universal Resin Cement (3M, Maplewood, MN USA). Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to measure the dentine thickness and intracoronal depth before cementation and cement thickness after cementation. The fracture resistance was evaluated using a universal testing machine. For each variable (Td, Dp, Tc), the 12 specimens were divided into two groups (<i>n</i> = 6). Statistical analysis included Pearson correlation, a one-way ANOVA, and the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test. <b>Results:</b> Within the limitations of this pilot in vitro study, cement thickness demonstrated a strong positive correlation with fracture resistance (r = 0.577) and was the only variable showing statistical significance in the ANOVA (F = 7.847, <i>p</i> = 0.019). In contrast, intracoronal depth and dentine wall thickness exhibited weaker and nonsignificant correlations. No significant mechanical advantage was observed from increasing the pulp chamber depth or peripheral dentine wall thickness. This result was further supported by nonparametric Mann–Whitney U testing (<i>p</i> = 0.015). <b>Conclusions</b>: Cement layer thickness is a key biomechanical factor influencing the fracture resistance of endocrown restorations. Preparation depth and dentine wall geometry appear to have a less direct impact.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/13/6/2633D-printed endocrownsadhesive interfacecement thicknessdentine thicknessdigital dentistryfracture resistance
spellingShingle Osama Abuabboud
Adrian-George Marinescu
Mihai Paven
Izabella-Maria Kovacs
Luminita Maria Nica
Andrei-Bogdan Faur
Dan Ioan Stoia
Anca Jivănescu
Influence of Cement Thickness, Dentine Thickness, and Intracoronal Depth on the Fracture Resistance of 3D-Printed Endocrowns: A Pilot In Vitro Study
Dentistry Journal
3D-printed endocrowns
adhesive interface
cement thickness
dentine thickness
digital dentistry
fracture resistance
title Influence of Cement Thickness, Dentine Thickness, and Intracoronal Depth on the Fracture Resistance of 3D-Printed Endocrowns: A Pilot In Vitro Study
title_full Influence of Cement Thickness, Dentine Thickness, and Intracoronal Depth on the Fracture Resistance of 3D-Printed Endocrowns: A Pilot In Vitro Study
title_fullStr Influence of Cement Thickness, Dentine Thickness, and Intracoronal Depth on the Fracture Resistance of 3D-Printed Endocrowns: A Pilot In Vitro Study
title_full_unstemmed Influence of Cement Thickness, Dentine Thickness, and Intracoronal Depth on the Fracture Resistance of 3D-Printed Endocrowns: A Pilot In Vitro Study
title_short Influence of Cement Thickness, Dentine Thickness, and Intracoronal Depth on the Fracture Resistance of 3D-Printed Endocrowns: A Pilot In Vitro Study
title_sort influence of cement thickness dentine thickness and intracoronal depth on the fracture resistance of 3d printed endocrowns a pilot in vitro study
topic 3D-printed endocrowns
adhesive interface
cement thickness
dentine thickness
digital dentistry
fracture resistance
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/13/6/263
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