Thickness of immediate dentin sealing materials and its effect on the fracture load of a reinforced all-ceramic crown

<jats:title>ABSTRACT</jats:title><jats:p> Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate, in vitro, the thickness of immediate dentin sealing (IDS) materials on full crown preparations and its effect on the fracture load of a reinforced all-ceramic crown. Materials and Methods: Sixty premolars received full crown preparation and were divided into the following groups according to the IDS technique: G1-control; G2-Clearfil SE Bond; and G3-Clearfil SE Bond and Protect Liner F. After the impressions were taken, the preparations were temporized with acrylic resin crowns. IPS empress 2 restorations were fabricated and later cemented on the preparations with Panavia F. 10 specimens from each group were submitted to fracture load testing. The other 10 specimens were sectioned buccolingually before the thicknesses of Panavia F, Clearfil SE Bond and Protect Liner F were measured in 10 different positions using a microscope. Results: According to analysis of variance and Tukey′s test, the fracture load of Group 3 (1300 N) was significantly higher than that of Group 1 (1001 N) (P < 0.01). Group 2 (1189 N) was not significantly different from Groups 1 and 3. The higher thickness of Clearfil SE Bond was obtained in the concave part of the preparation. Protect Liner F presented a more uniform range of values at different positions. The thickness of Panavia F was higher in the occlusal portion of the preparation. Conclusions: The film thickness formed by the IDS materials is influenced by the position under the crown, suggesting its potential to increase the fracture load of the IPS empress 2 ceramic crowns.</jats:p>