[Restoration of endodontically treated teeth]

The existing literature on the criteria and conditions for the restoration of endodontically treated teeth has been reviewed. This review shows a consensus among the various authors that the restoration depends on: the dental structure which remains, the position of the tooth in the arch, and whether or not it has been used as a support for fixed or removable partial prosthesis. When the remaining dental structure is sufficient, the tooth can be restored, aesthetically and functionally in the usual way. If the structure is inadequate it will be necessary to reinforce the crown with the help of intra-crown pins, that can be of amalgam or pre-fabricated metal, after which the crown can be reconstructed with amalgam or cast restoration metal. If the tooth to be restored has been used as a support for partial prosthesis or is located in the arch where horizontal forces are present, an intra-root reinforcement with metallic pins will be necessary. These pins can be cast or pre-fabricated and crown core. In this review are discussed also some advantages and disadvantages of the use of the two types of pins and also the criteria for preparing cast-metal post and for the use of pre-fabricated pins.