The effect of post adaptation in the root canal on retention of posts cemented with various cements

This laboratory study compared the retention of prefabricated posts in well-fitting and loose-fitting post canals using different cement materials. Eighty-three human teeth were prepared for post placement. One of zinc phosphate cement, polycarboxylate cement, glass ionomer cement or resin cement was used to cement each post in place. A tensile force was applied to remove each post and the separation force was recorded. Posts cemented with the resin cement were the most difficult to dislodge. Posts cemented into loose-fitting canals exhibited greater resistance to dislodgment than posts cemented into well-fitting canals irrespective of the type of cements used.