Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Selecting the optimum prefabricated post-and-core system can be a complex and imprecise exercise for the
restorative dentist. First, no single prefabricated post-and-core system fits all situations. Second, the vast
number of post-and-core components currently on the market complicates the selection process. Finally,
useful biomechamcal criteria for evaluating prefabricated post-and-core components are difficult to quantify.
The prefubriciited poit-and core system consists of three components: the post, a core material, anda luting
cement. Each combination of component types is a potential system alternative. This article presents useful
biomechanicat criteria, based on current restorative guidelines, for evaluating the basic components of any
prefabricated post-and-core system. (Quintessence Int I998;29;3O5-3I2)
/^ Poiycarboxyiate
A /* Resin-based B
• w~' • ^ ~~
Glass- Resin Amaigam
ionomer composite • Parailei, threaded
• Parallel, smooth-sided
• Tapered, threaded ^
tion made of plastic filling materials is used to replace The objective of a post-and-core system is to pro-
this lost tooth structure and provide support for the vide the retention for a crown that would normally be
crown. However, when there is not enough sound tooth gained from sound coronal tooth structure.-* •' The noted
structure remaining to provide retention for a core, a systems analyst, Thomas H- Athey,'-* defines a system
post and core is needed. as any set of components working together for the
When a post and core is required, the restorative den- overall objective of the whole. Narrowly defined, the
tist may choose a custom-cast post-and-core system or a prefabricated post-and-core system consists of just two
prefabricated po.st-and-core system. With the custom- components: a metal post and a core of plastic filling
cast post-and-core system, a post is customized to fit the material. However, the system's objective cannot be
cana], and both post and core are ca,st as a single unit. met without a lufing cement to enhance retention and
With the prefabricated post-and-core system, the canal to aid in creating a seal along the canal. Posts, regard-
is enlarged to fit the configuration of the selected post, less of shape and surface configuration, are inserted
and the core is made by adding a plastic filling material. with a luting cement. Therefore, a prefabricated post-
Custom-cast posts are indicated in teeth with ellipti- and-core system consists of three components; (1) pre-
cal or excessively Hared canals, while prefabricated fabricated post, (2) plastic core material, and (3) luting
posts function best in teeth with small circular canals.^ cement.
The custom post and core is almost always more con- By considering the various forms or types each
servative of remaining tooth structure, prompting component could take, all available potential system
Morgaño'-' to recommend its use whenever a post-and- designs or alternatives are developed.'•• There are six
core system is indicated. However, the prefabricated classes of posts, three classes of plastic filling materi-
post-and-core requires fewer appointments and is a less als, and four classes of luting agents (cements) com-
complex procedure. According to Shillingburg et al," monly used for prefabricated post-and-core compo-
the prefabricated post-and-core system is the tnost nents.''•"•'^ Therefore, each combination of component
widely used system. types is a potential system alternative (Fig 1).
Prefabricated
posts
Post selection is guided by both external root contour of either cobalt-chromium-molybdenum or stainless
and the shape of the prepared canal,** The more closely steel,* Both stainless steel and brass exhibit low corro-
the post selected fits the canal (in size and shape), the sion resistance,'' Platinum-gold-palladium, titanium, and
less likely the potential for canal preparation that results cobalt-molybdenum incorporate the best combination
in perforation of the root.''-^ Tapered posts conform well of strength and corrosion resistance,•'•^•''•^ According to
to end odontic ally prepared canals and are more conserv- Jacobi and Shillingburg,'^ brass is the least desirable
ative of tooth structure,^ alloy because of its low strength and low corrosion re-
Conventional prefabricated posts are made of stain- sistance. Also, nickel-containing alloys should he
less steel, titanium and its alloys, platinum-gold-palla- avoided in nickel-sensitive patients,''
dium, chromium-containing alloys, and brass.•'•' In summary, the optimum prefabricated post is made
Recently introduced nonmetallic posts, especially the of bigh strengtb, corrosion-resistant materiai, possesses
carhon fiber-epoxy post, show promise,--^-'' However, good retentive and stress distribution characteristics,
metal posts are proven over time and continue to domi- and is capable of being installed with minimal risk of
nate the market. either perforation and/or loss of tooth structure,-"-^ 8,17-23,27
Post stiffness (modulus of elasticity) and post corro- Consequently, the criteria for prefabricated posts are (})
sion are major considerations in the selection of metal strength, (2) corrosion resistance, (3) retention, (4)
posts,•'•^•"•-'' Titanium alloys are the most corrosion resis- stress distribution, (5) safety, and (6) conservation of
tant. However, titanium's strength is much less than that tooth structure (Fig 3).
^ ^ ~.
Core materials
Dimensions i Bonding
Micro îakage mechanism
stability
1. Amalgam 1. Resin composite
I.Amalgam
2. Glass-ionomer 2. Giass-ionomei
3, Resin composite 3. Resin composite 3. Amalgam
Fig 4 Appiioation of seiected biomeohanicai criteria to evaluate core materiais for prefabri-
cated post-and-core systems.
Luting cements
Fig 5 Appiication of seiected biomechanicai cnteria to evaluate [jting cements for prelabri-
cated posts.
4. Silvers JE. Johnson WT. Restoration of endodontically created 13. Morgaño SM. Restoration of pulpless teeth: Application of tradi-
teeth. Dent Clin North Am 1992:36:631-648. tional principles in present and future contexts. J Prostbet Dent
5. Rosenstiel SF. Land MF. Fujimoto J. Contemporary Fixed Pros- 1996:75:375-380.
thodontics, ed 2. St Louis: Mosby, 1995:238-262. 14. Athey TH. Systematic Systems Approacb. Prentice Hall I9R2:
6. Shillingburg HT, Hobo S. Whitsett LD, Jacobi R, Brackett SE, 68-100.
Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontics, ed 3. Chicago: 15. Jacobi R, Shillingburg HT. Pins, dowels, and other retentive de-
Quintessence, 1997:194-209, vices in posterior teeth. Dent Clin North Am 1993;37:367-390.
7. Colman HL. Restoration of endodontically treated [ecth. Dent 16. Anusavice KJ. Structure of matter and principles of adhesion. In:
Clin North Am 1979;23:647-661, Anusavice KJ (ed). Phillips' Seienec of Denial Materials, ed 10.
8. Ingle JI, Teel S, Wands DH. Restoration of endodontically treat- Philadelpbia, Saunders, 1996:13-31.
ed teeth and preparation for overdentnres. In: Ingle JI, Bakland 17. Standlee JP. Caputo AA, Hanson EC. Retention of endodontie
LK (eds|. Endodontics. ed 4. Malvem, PA: Williams & Wilkins dowels: Effect of cement, dowel length, diameter, and design.
1994:876-920, J Prosthet Dent 1978;39:4OI^O.S.
9. Sorensen JA, Martinoff JT. Intracoronal reinforcement and coro- IS Riicmping DR, Lund MR, Schnell RJ. Retention of dowels sub-
nal coverage; A study of endodontically treated (eeth. J Prosthet jected to tensile and lorsional forces, J Prosthet Dcnl 1979;
Dent 1984:51:780-784. 41:159.
10. Goerig AC, Mueninghotf LA. Management of the endodonticai- 19. Johnson IK. Sakumura JS. Dowel form and tensile force. J
ly treated tooth. Part L Concept for restorative designs. Prosthet Dent 1978;40:645.
I Prosthet Dent 1983:49:340-345. 20. Standlee JP Caputo AA, Holcomb J, Trabert KC. The retentive
11. Talben KC, Conney JP. The endodonticaliy treated tooth. Dent and siress-distributing properties of a threaded endodontie
Clin Nortb Am I984:28:923-9.')1. dowel. J Prosthet Dent 1980;44:398-403.
12. Assif D, Avraham B, Piio R, Oren E. Effect of post design on 21. Chapman KW, Worley JL, von Fraunhofer JA. Retention of pre-
resistance to fracture of endodontically treated teeth with com- fabricated posts by cements and resins. J Prosthet Dent
plete crowns. J Prosthet Dent 1993:69:36^0. 1985:54:649-652.
22. Tjan AHL, Whang SB. Resistance to root fr;icture of dowel 38. Slandlee JP, Caputo AA, Collard EW, Pollack MH. ^"^'^^'^ "^
cliaiinels with variou.s thicknesses or buccal dontin wall.s. J stress di.sLribution by endodontie posts. Oral Surg 1972,. J:
Prosthet Dent 1985;53:496-500. 952-960.
23. Bums DA, Krause WR, DoiLglai HB, ßjriiK DR. Stress distrib- 39. Shen C. Dental cemenu for bonding applications. In: Anusavice
ution surrounding endodonlic posti. J Prosthet Dent 19911;64: KJ (ed), Phillips" Science of Dental Matenals, ed 10. Phila-
412^18. delphia: Saunders, 1996:555-580.
24. Freedmaii G, Novak IM, Serota KS, Glassman GD. Intra-radicu- 4(1. Chnstensen GJ. Cements used for full crown restorations: A sur-
lar rehabilitation: A clinical approach. Pracl Periodont Aesthet vey of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. J Estliet
Dent l994;6:33-3i). Dent 1997:9:20-26.
25. Duret D, Durel F, Reynaud M. Long-life physical property pro- 41. Mendoza ÜB, Eakle WS. Kahl EA. Root reinforcement with a
nervation and proNthiidontic rehabilitation with the compositpo.it. re.iin-bonded preformed post. J Prostbet Dent l997;9S:lt5-14.
Compend Con[in Educ Dent l9%il7;50-56. 42. Standiee JP, Caputo AA. Endodontic dowel retention with resin-
26. Trushkowsky RD. Coronorudicular rehabilitation with a i;arbon- ous cements. J ProsLhet Dent I992;68:913-9I7.
fiber post. Compend Contin Educ Dent 1996;l 7:74-79. 43. Tjan AH, Grant BE, Dunn JR. Mieroleakage of composite resin
cores treated with various dentin bonding systems. J Prosthet
27. Luu KQ. Corro.iion of a nonprecious metal post: A case report.
Quintessence Int 1992;23:389-392. Den[ l991;66:24-29.
28. Grayson WM. Dental amalgam: Structures and properties. In: 44. White SN. Yu Z. Kipnis V Effect of adhesive luting agents on
Anusaviee KJ (ed). Phillips' Science of Dental Material, ed 11). tbe marginal seatmg of cast restorations. J Prosthet Dent 1993;
Philadelphia: Saunders, 1996:361-365. 69:28-31.
29. Sturdevant CM, Roberson TM, Heymann HO, Sturdevant JR. ^^- White SN, Yu Z, Kipnis V. Effeet of sealing forces on film thick-
The Art and Science of Operative Dentistry, ed 3. Si LOUÍ.Í: ness of new adhesive resin cements. J Prosthet Dent 1992;
Mosby, 1995:246-248. 68:476-^81,
30. Mahler DB, Engle JH, Sininns LE, Terkia LG. One-year clinical 'to. White SN, Kipnis V. Effect of adhesive luting agents on margin-
evaluation ol bunded amalgam restorations. J Am Dent Assoc al seating of ca.st restorations. J Prostbet Dent 1993;69:28-31.
1996; 127:345-349, 47. Rosenstiel SF, Land MF, Fujimoto J. Contemporary Fi^ed
31. Belcher MA, Stewart GP. Two-year clinical evaluation of an Prosthodontics. ed 2. St Louis: Mosby, 1995:618-630.
amalgam adhesive. J Am Dent Assoc i 997; 128:309-314 48. McLean JW. Dentinal bonding agents versus glass-ionomer
cements. Quintessence Int 1996;27;659-667.
32. Donald DL. Jeansonne BG. Gardiner DM, Sarkar NK. Inñuenee
Rauschenberger CR. Dentin permeability. Dent Clin North Am
of dentinal adhesives and a prefabricated posi and fracture resis- 49.
l992;36:527-542.
tance of silver amalgam cores. J Prosthet Dent 1997;77:17-22.
33. Cohen BI, Pagnillo MK. Condos S. Deutsch AS. Four different 50. Tjan AHL, Cbiu J. Microleakage of core materials for complete
core materials measured for fracture strength in combination cast gold crowns. J Prostbet Dent 1989;61:659-664.
with five different designs of endddontic posls. J Prosthet Dent 5 | . Diai-Arnold AM. Wilcox LR. Restoration of endodontically
1996;76:487-t95. treated anterior teeth: An evaluation of coronal microjeakage of
34. Kovarik RE. Breeding LC. Caughman WF Faiigue life of three glass ionomer and composite resin materials.
core materials under simulated chewing conditions. J Prostbet 52. Fogel HM. Microleakage of posts used to restore endodontieally
Dent 1992;68:584-590. treated teeth. J Endod I995;21:376-379.
35. Ziebert AJ. Dburu VB. The fracture toughness of various core 53 White SN, Sorensen JA, Kang SK, Caputo AA. Microleakage of
matenals. J Prosthodonl Dent 1995;4:33-37. new crown and fixed partial denture luting agents. J Prosthet
36. Christensen GJ. Compumers vs. resin-remforced glass ionomers. Dent !992;67:I56-161.
J Am Denl Assoc 1997; 128:479-480.
37. Gladys S, Van Meerbeek B, Braem M, Lambrechts P, Vanherle
G. Comparative physico-mechanical characterization of new
hybrid restorative materials with conventional glass-ionomer and
resin composite restorative materials. J Dent Res I997;76:
883-894.