ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to compare and evaluate the retention of dislodged crowns by addition of one horizontal circumferential groove (HCG) to preparation and/or casting and with two luting cements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 recently extracted human maxillary first molar teeth of appropriate sizes were collected and mounted in the resin blocks using surveyor. Standardized full coverage tooth preparations were prepared and impressions were obtained. Dies were prepared for casting and were then subjected to tensile loading using UTM. The data obtained was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Obtained values were statistically analyzed using ANOVA, STUDENT "t" TEST and BONFERRONI TEST. The results showed that the mean tensile force (TF) was in the range from 49.05 to 264.87 for group A and 255.06 to 588.60 for group B. The highest TF was recorded for subgroup 3B, whereas the lowest for subgroup 1A. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the study, it was concluded that by addition of one HCG to tooth preparation or casting and to both showed significant increase in retention, when compared to control groups. The highest retention value was obtained for sample with groove on the internal surface of crown luted with SARC.