A retrospective study of 236 patients with teeth restored by carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy resin posts.
BACKGROUND
The Composipost dowel is made of stretched, aligned carbon fibres embedded in an epoxy-resin matrix. It is widely used in Europe and Canada for the restoration of endodontically treated teeth and was introduced in the United States 2 years ago as the C-Post dowel.


OBJECTIVE
This retrospective study evaluated treatment outcome of the Composipost system after 2 to 3 years.


METHODS
A total of 236 patients treated during a 1-year period by seven Swedish dental practitioners were included. Of those, 146 patients consented and data were collected from the dental records of the remaining patients. Thus, the material comprised 236 teeth restored with carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy resin post, 130 maxillary and 106 mandibular teeth, with a mean restoration time of 32 months (range 27 to 41). Periodontal conditions, radiographic signs, and prosthodontic results were recorded.


RESULTS
Five teeth (2%) had been extracted for reasons unrelated to the Composipost system. Periodontal conditions such as plaque accumulation, gingival health, bleeding on probing, and pocket depth around the teeth with Composipost dowels were similar to the control teeth. No dislodgment or root or post fractures were observed clinically or on radiographs. Radiographic examination of bone height measured from the apex to the bone margin mesially and distally showed differences on the mesial side but not on the distal surface (p < 0.05) between the Composipost-treated teeth and the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Promising results after 2 to 3 years of clinical service indicate that this system can be a viable alternative to conventional post-and-core systems.
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Odontology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
M
M
Fredriksson
J
J
Astbäck
M
M
Pamenius
K
K
Arvidson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000473:pathology; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000473:pathology; D011176:Post and Core Technique / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000209:etiology; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000293:injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D002244:Carbon