[Restoration of root canal treated teeth using carbon fiber posts]

The restoration of root canal treated teeth--because of the significant loss of tooth structure--is often achieved with post and core. However, post may generate stresses which lead to vertical root fracture and loss of the tooth. Since post design, material used and the post space preparation has significant influence on vertical fracture prevalence, broad investigation is in progress to find out the optimum procedure. During the last decade new prefabricated passive posts were introduced for postendodontic restorations. In order to collect information clinical trials have been performed on the reconstruction of root canal treated teeth using carbon fibe posts (COMPOSIPOST, RTD, France; C-POST, Bisco, USA). Adhesive technique was applied to cement posts in the root canal and for composite core reconstruction. The physical properties of carbon fiber posts and the composite core are very close to those of dentin. Post application is simple, does not require special skill and for the patients means minimum hazard. The position of the posts was controlled by radiography. During the 24 months observation period no failure was registered in patients treated (n = 55). Hence, we attribute our good results to the homogeneous reconstruction of the teeth. This procedure seems to be a good alternative to traditional cast metal dowel/cores or metal prefabricated posts.