Immediate and Delayed Post Space Preparations in Endodontically Treated Teeth: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Restorative Dentistry
• Dental Materials

Background:

• Post-space preparation (PSP) is a critical step in restoring endodontically treated teeth.
• The timing of PSP, whether immediate or delayed, may influence treatment outcomes.
• Limited evidence exists comparing immediate versus delayed PSP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and identify the effect of post-space preparation timing on endodontically treated teeth.
• To synthesize findings from studies comparing immediate versus delayed PSP.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search of multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, etc.) until February 2022.
• Inclusion of studies comparing immediate vs. delayed PSP in endodontically treated teeth.
• Descriptive analysis of study designs and characteristics.

Main Results:

• 68 studies were included, predominantly in vitro, with only one randomized controlled trial.
• Evaluated variables included microleakage, post-bond strength, bacterial infiltration, voids, and pain.
• A growing number of publications and keywords like "post-space preparation" indicate increasing research interest.

Conclusions:

• The current evidence base is limited by diverse study designs and conflicting results.
• Further high-quality research, particularly randomized controlled trials, is necessary to clarify the optimal timing of PSP.
• Inconclusive findings necessitate cautious interpretation of immediate versus delayed PSP effects.