Fracture resistance of pulpless teeth restored with post-cores and crowns.

OBJECTIVES The present study was designed to test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in the fracture resistance of pulpless teeth restored with different types of post-core systems and full coverage crowns. METHODS Extracted human upper premolars were restored with a fiber post, prefabricated metallic post or cast metallic post-core. Teeth with full crown preparations without post-core restorations served as a control. All teeth were restored with full coverage crowns. A 90-degree vertical or 45-degree oblique load was applied to the restored teeth with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min, and the fracture loads and mode of fracture were recorded. RESULTS Under the condition of vertical loading, the fracture load of teeth restored with the cast metallic post-cores was greatest among the groups (two-factor factorial ANOVA and Scheffe's F test, P<0.05). All fractures in teeth restored with all types of post-core systems propagated in the middle portions of roots, including the apices of the posts. Under the condition of oblique loading, the fracture load of teeth restored with pre-fabricated metallic posts was significantly smaller than that in other groups. Two-thirds of fractures in the fiber post group propagated within the cervical area, while most fractures in other groups extended beyond the middle of the roots. SIGNIFICANCE From the results of the present investigations, it was concluded that under the conditions of vertical and oblique loadings, the combination of a fiber post and composite resin core with a full cast crown is most protective of the remaining tooth structure.