Effect of ferrule on fracture resistance in endodontically treated teeth that were restored with bonded posts and cores

A dowel in an endodontically treated tooth could transfer occlusal forces intraradicularly which may increase the vertical root fracture susceptibility. Ferrule is one of the methods by which tooth structure can be reinforced. Thirty freshly extracted central incisors were endodontically treated. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups. Those in the control group were treated using prefabricated post and composite core (with no ferrule), and the teeth in test group were treated with similar prefabricated posts and cores while having two mm ferrule height. All teeth were restored with full metal crowns. The specimens were mounted on a universal testing machine and a compressive load was applied to the long axis of the teeth until fracture occurred. There was a significant difference between the ferrule and non-ferrule groups (P<0.000). The mean for ferrule group was 584N, while this value was 194N in non-ferrule group. The ferrule effect increases the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth that are restored with bonded post and cores.