Microleakage of different post systems and a custom adapted fiber post.

Objective: The effects of closely adapting a prefabricated fiber to the post space remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to quantify the microleakages of a custom adapted fiber-reinforced post, a prefabricated quartz fiber post and a cast post using nondestructive methods.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-five extracted human premolars were endodontically treated and randomly divided into three groups (n=15), which were restored using a cast post-and-core, a custom adapted fiber post (Refropost) with a microhybrid microfiller resin composite (Gradia), or a prefabricated quartz fiber post (DT light post) and two groups of control (n=10). All groups were cemented using a dual polymerizing resin cement (Panavia F2.0). A composite core (Z100) was used for the fiber posts. The microleakage was calculated for the experimental and control groups before and after thermal cycling and cycling loading using a radiotracer solution (thallium 201 chloride) and a gamma counter device. Data were subjected to statistical analysis of ANOVA and Tukey HSD at significant level of P< 0.05.

Results: Significantly lower microleakage values were found for the cast post-and-core (mean value =16.04 ×10(4)) and custom adapted fiber post groups (mean value=14.36×10(4)). Thermal cycling and cyclic loading had no significant effect on the microleakage value of any tested group.

Conclusion: Post systems with improved adaptation showed similar microleakage to casting posts.