title: Custom ceramic posts and cores: an overview of rationale and a new use for a proven technology.
abstract: Endodontically treated teeth pose a unique restorative challenge. This challenge is magnified in the esthetic zone when an all-ceramic crown is the desired final restoration. When choosing a treatment modality, the dentist must consider the physical properties of post and core materials and couple those considerations with the patient's demand for life-like restorative results. As computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/ CAM) technology enters the mainstream of dentistry, an ideal passive custom ceramic post and core may be constructed chairside or ordered from a dental laboratory. CAD/CAM offers unmatched precision and versatility for the construction of dental posts and cores. This type of post and core construction allows the dentist to avoid the pitfalls of poor fitting prefabricated posts, separate core materials, and delays in making the final crown restoration by constructing them chairside and avoiding the laboratory time involved in casting a custom metal post.
authors.forename: Chris P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Farrugia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002516:Ceramics; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003442:Crowns; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design / Q000379:methods*; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011176:Post and Core Technique; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome