A comparison of the survival of fibre posts cemented with two different composite resin systems

To evaluate the outcomes of a fibre post cemented with two different luting agents.

A single type of tooth coloured fibre post (Fibre-White Parapost, Coltene Whaledent) was used along with two different types of luting cement. A total of 129 teeth were treated in this retrospective audit: 79 treated were luted with Calibra Aesthetic Dental Resin Cement (Dentsply) and 50 with Panavia F 2.0 (Kuraray). All teeth were treated by the same operator and had a minimum ferrule of 2 mm and a ParaCore (Coltene Whaledent) composite core placed over the post. Where Calibra Aesthetic Dental Resin Cement was used, all the restorations were undertaken between June 2002 and October 2003 and were reviewed for a period of 38 to 54 months. Where Panavia had been used, all restorations were placed between February 2004 and December 2005 and reviewed for a period of 28 to 50 months.

The results for the Calibra cemented posts were: 64 returned for recall and of these 23 were classed as failed. The causes were: root fracture (2), decementation (3), fracture at post-core interface (6), endodontic failure (8) and marginal caries (4). The results for the Panavia cemented posts were: 44 returned for recall and 9 were classed as failed; the causes of failure were fracture at post-core interface (6), endodontic failure (1) and marginal caries (2).

For posts cemented with Calibra, a success rate of 64.1% was determined over a period of 38 to 54 months. The use of Panavia resulted in fewer post failures with a reported success rate of 79.5% over an evaluation period of 28 to 50 months. Mechanical failures by means of fractures occurring anywhere along the length of the post-core complex were the major cause of lack of success. Significantly higher failure rates were observed to occur in partially dentate patients, in those with parafunctional habits and also amongst anterior teeth. While the majority of the mechanical failures were amenable to repair, the latter mode of failure appears to be a major downfall when considering the routine use of fibre resin posts in restorative dentistry. The choice of cement appears to have a significant role in improving prognostic outcome.