Clinical behavior of translucent fiber posts: a 2-year prospective study

Purpose

This study prospectively evaluated the clinical performance of three types of translucent posts over a follow-up period of between 2 and 3 years.

Methods

Selected were 225 patients with one premolar in need of endodontic treatment, followed by restoration with a fiber post and porcelain crown. The sample was randomly divided into three groups of 75 patients each.

The same type of post was used in all patients within the group: Group 1= Aestheti-Plus posts (RTD), Group 2= D. T. Light-Post (RTD, St Egreve, France), and Group 3= FRC Postec (Vivadent / Ivoclar). For bonding the posts, a light-cure adhesive (One-Step; Bisco Dental) and a dual-curing resin cement (Duo-Link; Bisco Dental) were applied in Groups 1 and 2, whereas self-curing materials ExciteDSC adhesive (Vivadent/ Ivoclar) and MultiLink resin cement (Vivadent / Ivoclar) were used with Group 3.

After 6, 12 and 24 months, patients were recalled, and a clinical and radiographic examination was performed. For some patients, 30-month follow-up data were also collected.

Results

Debonding of the post occurred in eight cases (3.5%); in another six cases, a recurrence of the periapical lesion was reported.

Conclusion

The statistical analysis did not reveal any significant difference in the survival rate of the tested posts, suggesting that all are equally and sufficiently reliable for clinical use.