Scanning electron microscopic evaluation of fiber post-resin core units built up with different resin composites.
OBJECTIVE
To microscopically evaluate the structural characteristics of post-and-core units made of a fiber post and of different types of resin-based composites used as core materials.


METHODS
55 endodontically treated human maxillary incisors were prepared for receiving a fiber post (AEsthetic Post Plus). One-Step and C&B resin cement were used for luting the post. Samples were randomly divided into 11 groups. Eleven different composite materials were selected to build-up the abutment. The materials on trial were: Group 1: Z100; Group 2: Light-Core; Group 3: Lumiglass; Group 4: Gradia Direct; Group 5: Build-It!; Group 6: Tetric Ceram; Group 7: Biscore self-curing; Group 8: Unifil Flow; Group 9: Definite Flow; Group 10: Tetric Flow; Group 11: AEliteFlo. All the post-and-core specimens were cut perpendicularly to their long axis and processed for SEM observations. The presence of voids/bubbles within the resin abutment and of defects at the interface between the post surface and the core material was scored. These aspects were quantified with reference to a predefined index. The differences among the scores were tested for statistical significance (P< 0.05).


RESULTS
Cores built up with flowable composites showed the highest integrity and the best adaptation onto the post.
Monticelli
Francesca
F
University of Siena, Dept of Restorative Dentistry and Dental Materials, Policlinico Le Scotte, Viale Bracci, 53100 Siena, Italy. monticelli@unisi.it
Goracci
Cecilia
C
Grandini
Simone
S
García-Godoy
Franklin
F
Ferrari
Marco
M
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002244:Carbon; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D003188:Composite Resins; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods*; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016062:Porosity; D011176:Post and Core Technique; D011897:Random Allocation; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital
D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D003188:Composite Resins; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D002244:Carbon