Fracture Resistance of Immature Teeth Filled with Biodentine and BIOfactor MTA: An in Vitro Study

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the fracture resistance of simulated immature teeth filled with Biodentine (Septodont, St-Maur-des-Fossés, France) and BIOfactor MTA (Imicryl Dental, Konya, Türkiye) used as apical plugs.
Methods: In this study, 74 single-rooted mandibular premolars with root lengths standardized to 10±1mm were used. The teeth were divided into two main experimental groups—Biodentine and BIOfactor MTA (n=30)—and two control groups (n=7). The Biodentine and BIOfactor MTA groups were further divided into two subgroups according to apical plug thickness. In one subgroup, a 4 mm apical plug was placed, while in the other, the canals were completely filled with Biodentine or BIOfactor MTA. In the negative control group, root canals were prepared retrogradely without creating an access cavity. In the positive control group, canals were instrumented after access cavity preparation but left unfilled. Each specimen was subjected to a fracture resistance test using a universal testing machine, and the
maximum force required to cause fracture was recorded in Newtons (N). Data were analyzed using the
One-Way ANOVA test.
Results: The negative control group exhibited the highest fracture resistance compared to all other groups (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed between the 4 mm apical plug and full canal filling subgroups for either Biodentine or BIOfactor MTA (p>0.05). The highest fracture resistance was found in the negative control group.
Conclusion: BIOfactor MTA showed similar fracture resistance to Biodentine. Apical plug thickness did
not significantly influence the fracture resistance of immature teeth.

Keywords: Apical plug, biodentine, BIOfactor MTA, fracture resistance; immature teeth