Comparative Evaluation of Different Post and Core Systems in Maxillary Molar Endodontic Treatments: An Original Study

Maxillary molar endodontic treatments require the right post and core system. This study tested cast metal, glass fiber with composite resin, carbon fiber with composite resin, and zirconia post and core materials.

Sixty removed human maxillary teeth were randomly divided into four post and core material groups (n = 15 per group). The teeth acquired their post and core system after normal endodontic treatment. Fracture resistance, cyclic fatigue resistance, and microleakage analyses were statistically assessed.

The zirconia post and core material had the highest fracture resistance (mean: 900 N), followed by carbon fiber with composite resin, cast metal, and glass fiber with composite resin. Zirconia had the highest mean cycles to failure (120,000), followed by carbon fiber with composite resin (100,000), cast metal (110,000), and glass fiber with composite resin (90,000). Zirconia had the lowest mean microleakage score (1.8), and glass fiber with composite resin, the highest (3.0).

The zirconia post and core material outperformed the others in fracture resistance, cyclic fatigue resistance, and sealing. The cast metal has better fracture and cycle fatigue resistance than glass fiber with composite resin. These findings help doctors choose maxillary molar endodontic post and core materials.