title: Interface homogeneity of adhesively luted glass fiber posts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to light microscopically evaluate the homogeneity of the cement interface of an adhesively luted glass fiber post (GFP) by using a new cement application aid compared to a conventional post cementation method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty artificial root canals (n = 5) received GFP under the following experimental conditions: I = RelyX Unicem applied with a new application aid, II = RelyX Unicem, III = Panavia F 2.0 and IV = Variolink II (groups II-IV with conventional post cementation). From all specimens standardized photographs were taken perpendicularly to the post surface under a light-optical microscope from two opposite sides. The depicted cement interfaces were analysed using surface-analyzing software and related to the complete three-dimensional surface of the cement interface. Non-parametric tests were used to compare median values of the observed inhomogeneities (alpha = 5%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median values (%) of inhomogeneities within the cement interface for the cervical, middle, and apical level of analysis were: I = 2, 2, 7; II = 15, 19, 24; III = 8, 16, 39; IV = 11, 16, 29. For the complete post length, median values (%) of inhomogeneities were: I = 4; II = 19; III = 20; IV = 18.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The conventional application technique for luting endodontic post results in a large number of voids and bubbles. The combination of a flexible root-canal-shaped application aid achieves a more homogenous cement interface for the self-adhesive luting material tested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Prosthodontics and Material Science, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. Ronny.Watzke@gmx.de
authors.forename: Ronny
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Watzke
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Blunck
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frankenberger
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naumann
mesh_terms: D002484:Cementation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents; D005898:Glass; D008853:Microscopy; D003765:Models, Dental; D011176:Post and Core Technique; D019279:Resin Cements; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D017220:Dentin-Bonding Agents; C438843:Panavia-Fluoro; C483701:Rely X Unicem; D019279:Resin Cements; C009753:fiberglass; C103502:Variolink