The influence of surface configuration on the retention of posts designed for use with a cast-on technique.
OBJECTIVE
The combination of an individually cast core and a prefabricated metal post is one of the many techniques to restore endodontically treated teeth. The surface characteristics of commercially available posts vary considerably and likely influence retention. In this study, the surface configuration of 11 castable prefabricated post systems and their retention at the post-cement interface were investigated.


METHODS
Scanning electron microscopic photos were made to assess surfaces of the posts. Etchant residues or applied surface layers were also analyzed with an electron beam microprobe. For the retention measurements, 6 posts from each system were cemented in artificial root canals with a zinc phosphate cement. Retention was measured on a universal testing machine.


RESULTS
Analysis of variance and the Ryan-Einot-Gabriel-Welsch F test revealed significant differences in retention between posts; these differences were related to the microstructure of the surfaces of the posts. In general, the coarser the surfaces, the better the retention. Gold plating of the etched surface for one manufacturer resulted in less retention compared to posts of the same type and size that were not plated.


CONCLUSIONS
The surface configuration of a post could be an important factor when selecting a prefabricated post system.
Rosin
M
M
Department of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany. rosin@uni-greifswald.de
Fleissner
P
P
Welk
A
A
Steffen
H
H
Heine
B
B
D000134:Acid Etching, Dental; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002484:Cementation / Q000379:methods; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D003735:Dental Casting Technique; D003738:Dental Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D004595:Electroplating; D006047:Gold Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007495:Iridium / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010165:Palladium / Q000737:chemistry; D010984:Platinum / Q000737:chemistry; D011176:Post and Core Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013499:Surface Properties; D014093:Tooth, Artificial; D015036:Zinc Phosphate Cement / Q000737:chemistry
D003722:Dental Alloys; D003738:Dental Cements; D006047:Gold Alloys; D007495:Iridium; D010984:Platinum; D010165:Palladium; D015036:Zinc Phosphate Cement