Effects of ferrule and diameter of parallel cast post and core on fracture resistance

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of using different diameters of parallel cast posts with, or without ferrule, on the overall fracture resistance of Cast Post and Core (CPC). Material and Methods: Forty (40) endodontically treated human maxillary central incisors were divided into four groups (n=10): [F1] 1.0 mm diameter post with ferrule; [NF1] 1.0 mm diameter cast post without ferrule; [F1.5] 1.5 mm diameter cast post with ferrule; [NF1.5] 1.5 mm diameter post without ferrule. For all teeth, the post space (9.0 mm, in depth) was prepared using ParaPostTM drill. CPC using base metal alloy were fabricated and were cemented using resin modified glass ionomer (RMGI) cement along with the Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) crowns. A universal testing machine (Instron) was used to apply horizontal force perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth at the center of lingual surface, until catastrophic failure. Data was submitted to two-way ANOVA and Scheffé tests (P<0.05). Results: Both post diameter and ferrule statistically affected the maximum load at fracture (P=0.004 and P=0.013, respectively). The highest mean values were observed for samples with ferrule and wider post size (490N), while the lowest were observed for samples without ferrule and narrower post size (254N). There was no relationship between the presence of a ferrule and post size (P=0.937). Conclusion: For endodontically treated teeth with no ferrule, a wider-diameter cast post increased fracture resistance of a CPC and PFM crown procedure.