The three-point bending test of fiber-reinforced composite root canal posts.

BACKGROUND The primary reason for using a post is to retain the core with the objective to restore the missing coronal tooth structure. To achieve optimum results, the materials that are used to restore endodontically treated teeth should have physical and mechanical properties that are similar to that of dentin. OBJECTIVES To characterize the strength parameters of fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) posts with the application of a three-point test. The mean fracture load, flexural strength and flexural modulus were taken into consideration. MATERIAL AND METHODS For the three-point strength tests, 5 kinds of fiberglass root-posts were used: GC Fiber Post (GC America, Alsip, USA), Mirafit White (Hager Werken, Duisburg, Germany), Innopost (InnoTech, Verona, Italy), Rebilda Post (Voco, Cuxhaven, Germany), and EverStick Post (GC Europe, Leuven, Belgium). For each system, 15 FRC posts were tested. All posts had the same diameter, length and shape. The three-point test was carried out in accordance with ISO 10477:2004, using the Instron-5944 testing machine (Instron, Norwood, USA). The test was carried out until the sample was broken. RESULTS The highest force values (67.6 N) were recorded for the GC posts, and the lowest force required to break the sample (29.6 N) was noted for the EverStick Posts. In the case of bending strength, the highest values were also recorded for GC posts (912.4 MPa). Low bending strengths were obtained for the Mirafit White posts (537.2 MPa); however, the EverStick Posts were the weakest (436.2 MPa). Rebilda posts showed the highest modulus of elasticity - 31.1 GPa. The lowest values of the elastic modulus were registered for EverStick Posts - 12.5 GPa. CONCLUSIONS There were statistically significant differences in fracture loads, flexural strengths and flexural modulus of the FRC-post systems tested. Individually polymerized FRC material showed lower flexural properties than compared prefabricated FRC posts.