Void and gap evaluation using microcomputed tomography of different fiber post cementation techniques.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Few studies have investigated the voids and gaps produced during the cementation of fiber posts using different techniques. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and quantify void and gap area formations of different fiber post cementation techniques using microcomputed tomography (muCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Standardized endodontically treated acrylic resin roots (N=24) were divided into 4 groups (n=6) according to different fiber posts cemented with the resin cement (FB); fiber posts relined with composite resin followed by cementation (FBR); fiber posts cemented using an ultrasonic device (FBU); and fiber posts relined with composite resin and cemented using an ultrasonic device (FBRU). Each specimen was scanned twice using micro-computed tomography (muCT; empty root, followed by after fiber post cementation). Digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) files were transferred into 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction software for analysis. Void volume in the cementation system and gap area formation were evaluated; quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed. The data were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA and the Tukey honest significant difference post hoc test (alpha=.05). RESULTS: FBR showed a lower percentage of voids than obtained for FB (P<.05). Groups FB, FBU, and FBRU did not show significant difference in void formation (P>.05). No significant differences were found in gap area formations among the experimental groups (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a composite resin to reline the fiber post significantly decreased the void formation in the cementation procedure when no ultrasonic device was used. The use of an ultrasonic device did not decrease the percentage of void or gap formation for any technique evaluated.