Fracture resistance of pulpless teeth restored with post-cores and crowns.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in the fracture resistance of pulpless teeth restored with different types of post-core systems and full coverage crowns. METHODS: Extracted human upper premolars were restored with a fiber post, prefabricated metallic post or cast metallic post-core. Teeth with full crown preparations without post-core restorations served as a control. All teeth were restored with full coverage crowns. A 90-degree vertical or 45-degree oblique load was applied to the restored teeth with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min, and the fracture loads and mode of fracture were recorded. RESULTS: Under the condition of vertical loading, the fracture load of teeth restored with the cast metallic post-cores was greatest among the groups (two-factor factorial ANOVA and Scheffe's F test, P<0.05). All fractures in teeth restored with all types of post-core systems propagated in the middle portions of roots, including the apices of the posts. Under the condition of oblique loading, the fracture load of teeth restored with pre-fabricated metallic posts was significantly smaller than that in other groups. Two-thirds of fractures in the fiber post group propagated within the cervical area, while most fractures in other groups extended beyond the middle of the roots. SIGNIFICANCE: From the results of the present investigations, it was concluded that under the conditions of vertical and oblique loadings, the combination of a fiber post and composite resin core with a full cast crown is most protective of the remaining tooth structure.