An assessment of the effect of using different post systems on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth.

Abstract

ABSTRCT
Backgroud: Different post systems are available in the market but the prognosis of teeth by which they are restored has been questioned. This in vitro study evaluated and compared the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth restored with four post systems.
Materials and Methods: Forty intact human mandibular second premolars were selected for this study. These samples were endodontically treated, and randomly divided into 5 groups of eight each. Group I: the control group (without posts), group II: restored with prefabricated carbon fiber posts (C-post), group III: restored with prefabricated parallel-sided titanium posts (Radix-anker posts), group IV: restored with cast post and cores, and group V: restored with glass fiber posts (Postec), then the samples were tested to failure with an obliquely applied compressive load at 45oC, using a Zwick testing machine with a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. until failure.
Results: Failure load results were obtained for all test specimens. The means and standard deviations for each group were as follows: group 1 (control group): 113.875 ± 4.19Kg; group 2: 89.875 ± 4.16 Kg; group 3: 84 ± 4.28 Kg; group 4: 82 ± 5.58 Kg; and group 5: 80 ± 5.21 Kg.
Conclusions: The specimens restored with carbon fiber posts and composite cores showed significantly greater resistance to root fracture than those restored with the other three systems tested. There was a little difference in the fracture mode between the different treatment modalities, and teeth without post and core foundations tested significantly stronger than the other comparison groups.
Key words: Fracture resistance, metal posts, fiber reinforced posts. (J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2006; 18(2)25-31)