Imaging of defects at the interface of fiber posts restored endodontically treated teeth

Abstract

Clinically, the necessity of placing posts arises when tooth structure is insuffcient to sustain a coronal restoration. The aim of this study was to analyze the adaptation and gap width between fber posts, adhesive luting cement and root canal wall using en face optical coherence tomography (efOCT). Materials and Method: Twenty four extracted single-root canal human teeth were horizontally sectioned at the cemento-enamel junction and instrumented up to a no. 40 master apical fle, 1 mm from the anatomical apex. After the instrumentation was completed, standardized post spaces in all root canals were prepared to a depth of 8 mm, using the manufacturers' corresponding post drill system, and then the posts were cemented, applying a primer/adhesive system and using a dual-cured resin based cement system. After 15 minutes, the specimens were placed in a high-humidity environment at 37°C for 48 hours before the investigation. The interfaces fber posts/adhesive luting cement/root canal wall were investigated using en face optical coherence tomography. Results, Discussions and Conclusions: The efOCT scanning reveals material defects in the adhesive cement between the fber posts and the root canal wall. Those gaps could lead to line fractures in the mentioned interface, with failure of the prosthetic treatment.