Stiffness, elastic limit, and strength of newer types of endodontic posts.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the stiffness, elastic limit, and strength of a selection of endodontic posts recently introduced onto the market.


METHODS
Endodontic posts of zirconia (Biopost, Cerapost), titanium (PCR), and carbon fiber (Composipost) were cemented in a brass block and loaded at an angle of 45 degrees in an Instron Testing Machine. From the recorded relationship between force and deflection the three mechanical properties were determined (n = 10 in each group).


RESULTS
The ceramic posts were very stiff and strong, with no plastic behavior. The PCR post was as strong as, but less stiff than, the ceramic posts. Composipost had the lowest values for stiffness, elastic limit, and strength of the posts investigated.


CONCLUSIONS
The posts under investigation differed significantly with respect to mechanical properties.
Asmussen
E
E
Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. ea@odont.ku.dk
Peutzfeldt
A
A
Heitmann
T
T
D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D004548:Elasticity; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011176:Post and Core Technique / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry
D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D003764:Dental Materials; D002244:Carbon; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium; C028541:zirconium oxide