Evaluation of Clinical Performance of Cast Metal vs. Glass Fiber Posts in the Restoration of Endodontically Treated Teeth

BACKGROUND Endodontically treated teeth are usually associated with insufficient coronal and radicular tooth structure and hence, are restored with both cast metal and fiber posts. However, there are limitations in both treatment options. Glass fiber posts have known to show better performance than cast metal posts due to similarity in elastic modulus with dentin. The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the performance of glass fiber and cast metal posts in endodontically treated teeth that required intraradicular retention. METHODS 40 endodontically treated teeth were selected in patients and divided into two groups, glass fiber, and cast metal respectively. The participants were randomly allocated to both groups by using their registration number with an allocation ratio of 1:1. Participants were recalled at 3 and 6 months after cementation (baseline) for follow up. Radiographs were taken and evaluation was done according to FDI criteria. The intergroup comparison for the difference of mean scores between the two independent groups was done using the unpaired / independent t test. RESULTS Of the 40 endodontically treated teeth, 20 were restored with fiber posts and 20 were restored with cast metal posts. In total, 8 incisors, 6 canines, 21 premolars, and 5 molar teeth were included. The 6-month clinical survival of fiber posts was 100 % while that of cast metal posts was 95 %. The results were found to be nonsignificant (P = 0.159, 0.231, 0.805 at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months respectively). CONCLUSIONS The overall performance of the glass fiber posts was better than that of cast metal posts within the 6 months’ study period. However, no statistically significant differences were seen. Hence, in short follow up periods, both showed similar results and performed equally well. KEY WORDS Glass Fiber Posts Cast Metal Post Post and Core Technique Endodontically Treated Teeth