title: Evaluation of post-surface conditioning to improve interfacial adhesion in post-core restorations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the influence of different post-surface treatments on the interfacial strength between epoxy resin-based fiber posts and methacrylate-based resin composites that are employed as core build-up materials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty clear posts were divided into four groups of 10 each. The different surface treatments used were etching with alkaline potassium permanganate, 10% hydrogen peroxide, 37% phosphoric acid, and silanization alone. After etching and thorough rinsing, a single layer of silane was applied to the post surface. Then the post was placed in a rectangular plastic matrix and core bulid-up was done using Multi Core, a dual cured composite resin. A slab of uniform thickness, with the post in the center and the core build-up composite on either side was created. The specimens were cut so as to obtain microtensile sticks that were loaded in tension at a cross-head speed of 1 mm/min until failure. The statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA and the paired T test for post-hoc comparisons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results achieved with potassium permanganate had a significant influence on microtensile interfacial bond strength values with the tested material.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surface chemical treatments of the resin phase of fiber posts enhance the silanization efficiency of the quartz fiber phase, so that the adhesion in the post/core unit may be considered as a net sum of chemical and micromechanical retention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College, MAHER University, Chennai, India.
authors.forename: Mylswamy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sumitha
authors.forename: Rajkumar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kothandaraman
authors.forename: Mahalaxmi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sekar