Influence of clinical baseline findings on the survival of 2 post systems: a randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this prospective randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the influence of clinical baseline characteristics on the survival of 2 post systems.


METHODS
One hundred patients needing a post were included. Half the patients received a glass fiber-reinforced post (FRP), and the other half received metal screw posts (MSP). The posts were assigned randomly. In addition to demographic data, the following parameters were recorded: type of tooth (incisor/canine versus molar/premolar), length of the post in relation to root length (percentage), extent of coronal tooth destruction (percentage), ferrule height (in millimeters), type of restoration (fixed or removable partial denture), and presence of antagonistic contacts (yes/no). After at least 1 year (mean: 13.84 months), the patients were recalled. Statistical analysis was performed using the log-rank test and Cox regression analysis.


RESULTS
The survival rate of FRPs was 93.5%. In the MSP group, the survival rate was significantly lower (75.6%; log-rank test, P = .049). Additionally, the metal posts were associated with more unfavorable complications, for example, root fracture. The type of the tooth and the degree of coronal tooth destruction influenced the survival of MSPs, whereas no influence of these variables could be seen for FRPs.


CONCLUSIONS
FRPs are superior to MSPs with respect to short-term clinical performance. Especially for MSPs, clinical survival depends on several variables.
Schmitter
Marc
M
Department of Prosthodontics, University of Heidelberg, Germany. Marc_Schmitter@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Rammelsberg
Peter
P
Gabbert
Olaf
O
Ohlmann
Brigitte
B
D003442:Crowns; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011176:Post and Core Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013499:Surface Properties; D016019:Survival Analysis; D019228:Tooth Crown / Q000473:pathology; D014082:Tooth Fractures / Q000209:etiology; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology
D003722:Dental Alloys; D003764:Dental Materials; C009753:fiberglass