Axial stiffness of retention pins in human dentin

Axial deflections of pins, anchored in specimens of human dentin by five different procedures, were measured by a specially constructed apparatus to an accuracy of 0.1 mu. Axial stiffness values calculated from these measurements were found to be significantly different for different methods of anchorage. Cemented pins displayed the lowest axial stiffness when compared with friction-locked and self-threading pins.