title: Fibre-based post systems: a review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article presents a review of published literature examining fibre-based endodontic post systems.
  
  
  METHODS
  A MEDLINE search was carried out for any articles in dental journals pertaining to fibre-based post systems. Wherever possible articles cited were obtained from the journals and where this was not possible abstracts were obtained. Where no abstract was available the article was not considered for evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Articles were reviewed by a single observer and subject to meeting inclusion criteria were included in the review. Fifty-nine articles were considered suitable for inclusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Articles were divided into categories and a subjective description of the articles was made.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Review indicated that (1) most published literature on fibre-based posts took the form of laboratory analyses; (2) evidence for carbon-fibre posts far exceeds that for quartz-fibre posts; (3) laboratory evidence was contradictory and could not be used to inform practice reliably; (4) few clinical studies have been carried out though these have suggested fibre based posts may be clinically appropriate for restoration of the endodontically treated tooth; and (5) controlled prospective clinical trials evaluating fibre-based posts should be undertaken to inform use for clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Comprehensive Restorative Care, Dundee Dental Hospital and School, Park Place, Dundee DD1 4HN. gjfbateman@hotmail.com
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bateman
authors.forename: D N J
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Ricketts
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Saunders
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D003763:Dental Leakage / Q000145:classification; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D011176:Post and Core Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011791:Quartz / Q000737:chemistry; D012107:Research Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000534:rehabilitation
chemical_list: D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003764:Dental Materials; C009753:fiberglass; D011791:Quartz; D002244:Carbon; D012822:Silicon Dioxide