Retention of a core material supported by three post head designs

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: There are few studies on the retention of core build-up materials to prefabricated post head designs, especially for a new ceramic post design. PURPOSE: This in vitro study compared the retention of 2 types of core build-up materials (Ti-Core titanium-reinforced composite and a GC Miracle Mix silver-reinforced glass ionomer) supported by 3 post head designs (Flexi-Post, AccessPost, and Cerapost dowel). For all test groups, heads of the posts were placed into the core material at a 90-degree angle to the surface. Test specimens (unloaded) were then placed into a special jig and retention test was performed using an 810 MTS testing machine.Material and Methods: This study consisted of 6 groups with 10 specimens per group. A 3 x 2 factorial design was used to test for statistical significance and results were considered significant when P <.05. RESULTS: Results of the retention test were as follows: group 1, Flexi-Post/Ti-Core 220.0 lb (982.1 N), group 2, AccessPost/Ti-Core 212.7 lb (949.6 N), group 3, Cerapost/Ti-Core 41. 8 lb (186.6 N), group 4, Flexi-Post/Miracle Mix 43.4 lb (193.8 N), group 5, AccessPost/Miracle Mix 61.6 lb (275 N), and group 6, Cerapost/Miracle Mix 7.5 lb (33.5 N). Results of the ANOVA revealed a highly significant difference between posts and cores (P <.0001). CONCLUSION: Post head designs of the stainless steel AccessPost and Flexi-Post dowels offers greater retention then the smooth ceramic head design of the Cerapost dowel. In addition, the composite core material (Ti-Core) offers greater retentive strength values than the glass ionomer material (Miracle Mix).