[Optimized pin geometry for improved retention of parapulpal pins in amalgam]

The retentive part of parapulpal pins is often very bulky, and this may compromise the strength of the amalgam restoration. This in turn may considerably limit the range of applications of parapulpal pins. For this reason the geometry of the retentive pin portion was optimized with the aid of a finite element analysis. This manoeuvre resulted in a better stress distribution and improved retention, although the pin size was reduced. In clinical terms this implies a wider range of possible applications, because these pins allow safe anchorage of extensive amalgam restorations and do not affect the strength of the restoration.