Evaluating efficacy of different post materials and lengths on bonding strength between root canal dentin and post restorations: An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: During post restoration, different root structures require several types of posts to increase duration of their clinical use. Several materials have been investigated to enhance their quality and optimize their length according to the available root canal. AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of zirconia, fiber, and ceromer posts with 3- and 6-mm post sizes on the bonding strength of them to root canal dentinal wall with the means of pull-out bond strength test. METHODS: Forty-eight single-rooted mandibular human premolar teeth were collected and prepared for this in vitro study. With resin cement, 3- and 6-mm study posts including zirconia, fiber, and ceromer were luted to prepare teeth. For the retention testing, the pull-out force was applied to each specimen parallel to longitudinal axis of both the post and tooth. RESULTS: Both type of materials and size of posts changed the value of bonding strength. In all the post types, 6-mm ones performed better. Overall, the best bonding strength was obtained with fiber posts and the better bonding strength was obtained with zirconia; however, ceromer provided the least bonding strength. CONCLUSION: Current experiments supported that 6-mm post size can increase the bonding between root canal dentin and studied posts. When considering post materials, fiber provided the best bonding strength in current laboratory setup. Second, zirconia had meaningfully acceptable bonding strength; however, the bonding strength of ceromer posts was not favorable. Further studies optimizing post fabrication techniques of root materials may increase the bonding strength of posts to human dentin to an acceptable clinical degree.