Desempenho clínico de restaurações com fibra de polietileno como alternativa ao rebaixamento de cúspide em dentes posteriores não vitais: resultados parciais de um ensaio clínico randomizado

Abstract

The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the clinical performance of restorations using polyethylene fiber as an alternative to cusp reduction in endodontically treated posterior teeth. This is a randomized, split-mouth, double-blind, equivalence clinical trial with a total sample size of 92 dental elements randomly allocated into two groups: the Cusp Reduction Group (CRG), which received restorations with cusp reduction, and the Polyethylene Fiber Group (PFG), which underwent restorations using polyethylene fiber (Ribbond®). To date, 46 dental elements, corresponding to 50% of the planned sample size, have been included. The interventions were performed following standardized techniques for each group. Restorations were evaluated at 3- and 6-month follow-ups by two independent evaluators using the FDI (World Dental Federation) criteria. This interim analysis was conducted due to the ongoing clinical follow-up and aims to present preliminary results of the restorations' performance. A significance level of 5% (p < 0.05) was considered for statistical analyses. Polyethylene fiber restorations in endodontically treated teeth showed clinical performance comparable to restorations with cusp reduction after a follow-up period of up to 6 months. However, the limited number of procedures performed thus far and the corresponding follow-up period do not allow definitive conclusions about the efficacy or statistical significance of these findings. Completion of the proposed follow-up period is necessary to achieve more robust data.