A Prospective Study on Longevity of Different Post and Core Systems in Endodontically Treated Teeth

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Biomaterials Science
• Restorative Dentistry

Background:

• Restoring endodontically treated teeth (ETT) often requires post and core systems for longevity.
• Clinical data on the long-term performance of different post and core materials is crucial.
• Evaluating failure modes and survival rates of various post systems in ETT is of clinical interest.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the longevity and failure modes of three common post and core systems in ETT.
• To evaluate fiber-reinforced composite (FRC), prefabricated metal, and custom-cast post systems.
• To assess performance over a 3-year follow-up period.

Main Methods:

• Ninety patients with single-rooted endodontically treated premolars were randomly assigned to three groups (n=30 each): FRC posts, prefabricated metal posts, or custom-cast posts.
• All teeth were restored with full-coverage crowns.
• Clinical evaluations occurred every 6 months for 36 months, recording survival rates and failure patterns using Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank tests.

Main Results:

• At 36 months, survival rates were: FRC (93.3%), metal (86.7%), and custom-cast (80.0%).
• Failure modes included debonding (FRC), post loosening (metal), and root fracture (custom-cast).
• Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a statistically significant difference in survival (P=0.041), with FRC posts outperforming custom-cast posts.

Conclusions:

• Fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) posts demonstrated superior longevity compared to prefabricated metal and custom-cast posts in ETT.
• FRC posts exhibited a more favorable failure pattern, indicating better clinical outcomes.
• The findings suggest FRC posts are a preferable choice for achieving long-term success in restoring endodontically treated teeth.