The fracture behavior of premolar teeth with class II cavities restored by both direct composite restorations and endodontic post systems.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of different posts on the fracture load and fracture mode of endodontically treated premolars with class II cavities and direct composite restorations in an ex vivo setting.

METHODS: Forty-eight single-rooted human premolars were endodontically treated and prepared with standardized MO (mesio-occlusal) cavities. Eight teeth each received either no posts or were restored with titanium screws (BKS), glass fiber posts (DentinPost), or quartz fiber posts (DT Light SL). Sixteen teeth were restored with zirconium dioxide posts (CeraPost). BKS-screws and eight zirconium dioxide posts were cemented conventionally with glass ionomer cement; Panavia F resin cement was used for all others. The specimens were restored with direct composite restorations. Eight sound premolars served as the controls. After thermomechanical fatigue testing, the samples were loaded until fracture occurred at an angle of 45 degrees . All specimens were evaluated for fracture lines.

RESULTS: The sound teeth showed the significant highest fracture load (792.50+/-210.01 N). The group restored with quartz fiber posts differed not significantly from the control. In the groups with fiber posts and titanium screws significant higher fracture load values occurred as in the group with direct composite restorations without posts. The groups with fiber posts did not show a more favorable fracture mode than the other groups.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The use of an intraradicular post in premolars with class II cavities can significantly increase the resistance towards extra-axial forces.