Selection of luting materials for bonding fiber posts

Abstract

Achievement of reliable bonding and effective adhesion inside the root canal is an issue of great interest. The selection of an adequate adhesive strategy inside the root canal is still a matter of debate, and data of studies demonstrate contradictory results. After post space preparation, the dentin walls are covered by heavy smear layer containing rough debris and remnants of sealer and gutta-percha that may hamper bonding to the root canal dentin and highlight the importance of smear layer modifi cation inside the root canal. In this aspect, the adhesive strategy might play an important role for adhesively luted fi ber posts. Therefore, scientifi c data that have evaluated the performance of various luting materials for bonding fi ber posts will be presented and analyzed. Moreover, methods for cleaning the root canal and irrigation protocols after post space preparation and their effects on bond strength of different adhesive strategies are important clinical issues, and these aspects will also be summarized from a scientifi c and a practical point of view.