Retention of Cast Posts Cemented with Two Commonly Used Conventional and Two Resin Cements and the Mode of Root Fracture Following Their Removal

This study aimed to compare the retention of cast posts cemented with four types of cements and assess the mode of root fracture following their removal.

In this in vitro, experimental study, 48 upper central incisors were randomly divided into 4 groups of 12, and were endodontically treated. The fabricated cast posts in each group were cemented with zinc phosphate (Masterdent), glass ionomer (GI; Meron), Meta resin cement, and Panavia SA resin cement. A device was customized for post removal by a universal testing machine similar to WAM X pliers. The retention of cemented posts was measured by the pullout test in a universal testing machine. Next, the teeth were macroscopically and microscopically inspected regarding the occurrence and sites of catastrophic fracture, cracks, or craze lines. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed by ANOVA, and Chi-square test, respectively (P<0.05).

ANOVA showed a significant difference in the mean retention of cements (P<0.001). Panavia provided the highest retention (278.6±34.9 N) followed by zinc phosphate (221.9±28.88 N), GI (161.3±60.7 N), and Meta (140.4±66.54 N). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the pattern of root fracture (P=0.39). However, site and extent of fractures were significantly different among the groups (P<0.05).

The conventional cements provided optimal retention and caused less root damage after post removal. Thus, cements providing adequate retention and allowing easier post removal are recommended for use in endodontically treated teeth with a possibility of requiring retreatment.