Attachment of anterior tooth fragments.

This investigation examined the relationships of tooth preparation and resin material types in repair of fractured anterior teeth by reattachment of fractured tooth fragments. A total of 44 extracted maxillary central incisors were tested. Statistical analysis revealed that no mechanical preparation of the enamel was as retentive as a 45°-circumferential bevel (p K .01). In addition, light-cured resin proved to be as retentive as a chemically cured resin (p < .01). Also examined was the effect of the initial fracture angle on retention of the attached fragment. Teeth fractured with an angle sloping cervically in a lingual-tofacial direction, when viewed proximally, were more retentive than other types of fractures (p < .05) when subjected to a lingually directed force from the labial aspect. Trauma to the anterior teeth is common in the child and adolescent. Fractures often occur and the dentist is faced with choosing a treatment program that will return the tooth to its original condition insofar as possible. While acid-etch resin restorations have been suggested as one of the better choices, this study presents another method to increase the function and esthetics of the tooth. Reattaching the fractured tooth fragment to the tooth remnant enhances the durability of the restoration, since the fragment wears at the same rate as that of the other teeth. Also, the natural enamel translucency and surface finish of the fragment provides the tooth with its original esthetics. This study investigated the effectiveness of the fragment attachment technique by measuring the force required to cause separation of the fragment. Two different luting agents were compared. The force required to break the attachment with no mechanical preparation of the tooth was compared with that required when the fractured enamel margins were beveled.