Fracture resistance of molars with bonded class II Amalgam restorations - an in- vitro study

The aim of this study was to determine whether amalgam bonded to tooth structure with sixth generation adhesives can increase the fracture resistance of restored teeth. Fifty- two extracted mandibular molars were randomly divided into six groups, which included two control groups of six teeth each and four experimental groups of ten teeth each. Group I consisted of six intact teeth which served as negative control. Standardized class 2 (mesio­occlusal / disto-occlusal) preparations were made in groups 2-6. The preparations were lined with: group 3. varnish; group 4, Excite DSC; group 5, AdheSE; group 6, Clearfil liner Bond 2V and then restored with high copper amalgam. Group 2 preparations were not restored and served as positive control. The bonded amalgam technique using sixth generation adhesives also increase the fracture resistance of mandibular molars and could be used as time saving alternatives to the conventional multistep adhesive systems