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Lewis R, Smith BG. A clinical survey of failed post retained crowns. Br Dent J. 1988; 165:95-97
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The restoration of structurally compromised endodontically treated teeth: principles and indications of post and core restorations

From Volume 47, Issue 8, September 2020 | Pages 670-676

Authors

Reem Ahmed

BDS, MFDS RCS

Dental Core Trainee, Department of Restorative Dentistry, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London, SW17 0QT, UK

Articles by Reem Ahmed

Raj Dubal

BDS, MFDS, MClin Dent(Pros), MRD(Rest), PGCertDentEd, FDS, ISFE (Rest Dent)

Specialty Trainee in Restorative Dentistry, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 0QT, UK

Articles by Raj Dubal

Abstract

The use of posts to retain indirect restorations in structurally compromised teeth is a technique that has been used for many years. There are many factors that need to be considered prior to the provision of post- and core-retained crowns to reduce the risk of failure. This includes case selection and an understanding of the cumulative prognostic endodontic, periodontal and prosthodontic factors. Many clinicians are hesitant to use post- and core-retained restorations, due to an uncertainty of whether the treatment modality would work, and with some seeing it as an out-dated clinical technique. The evolution and widespread use of dental implants has also provided an additional fixed tooth replacement option, which may result in a reduced drive to retain structurally compromised teeth. As a result, fewer post-retained restorations are being placed, with the majority of these being old restorations present in the older age demographic. It is important for this treatment modality to remain within a clinician's armamentarium, not only for application when clinically appropriate but, with an ageing population with a heavily restored dentition, clinicians must be able to repair and replace these restorations when necessary.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: A sound understanding of the biological and technical considerations in the provision of post and core restorations will allow clinicians to offer this treatment modality to appropriate patients with greater predictability and reduced failure rates.

Article

Post and core restorations have been used as a treatment modality for structurally compromised teeth since 1728, when Pierre Fauchard described the use of metal screws in the roots of maxillary anterior teeth to retain crowns made from ivory and bone.1,2 Since then, posts and cores have been widely used to provide retention on teeth that would otherwise have had insufficient coronal tissue to retain a crown. There has been much advancement since 1728 in the characteristics and materials of post systems, meaning that clinicians have a plethora of options from which to choose.

Although it has been suggested that there is a high failure rate associated with post- and core-retained crowns, a clinical study by Sorensen and Martinoff demonstrated that, although posts may not reinforce teeth, success with this treatment modality is possible, with success rates of 87.3% and 100% for tapered cast posts and parallel-sided posts, respectively, when the length of the post was greater than the length of the crown.3,4 Furthermore, a study by Valderhaug et al reported that crowned teeth with good quality endodontic treatment and a post and core with optimal morphology had a similar 25-year survival rate to that of crowned teeth with a vital pulp.5 These studies demonstrate that clinical success is significantly reliant on operator skill and appropriate case and material selection. This article reviews some of the factors behind appropriate case and material selection, as well as demonstrating the technique using a clinical case.

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