Evaluation of the effect of storage medium on fragment reattachment

Abstract

Fragment reattachment is a conservative and a valid alternative to a direct composite restoration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of commonly available storage media on the fracture resistance of reattached fragments. Sixty sound human maxillary incisors were divided into three groups, the teeth were then sectioned and the fragments were kept dry (Group A), stored in milk (Group B) and in saline (Group C) for 24 h. The fragments were then reattached using simple reattachment technique with flowable composite resin. These teeth were then subjected to thermocycling and the fracture resistance of these reattached fragments were recorded. The mode of fracture was also recorded. Group C (saline) recorded the highest mean fracture resistance (76.9 N) followed by Group B (milk) and Group C (dry), (38.7 N and 27.2 N, respectively). Most of the samples in Group A (65%) and Group C (70%) showed adhesive fracture, whereas 50% of the samples in Group B showed adhesive fracture. Fragments stored in saline and milk showed greater fracture resistance than those kept dried.