A comparative study on the effect of glass fiber post and metal post in restoration of anterior tooth defect

PURPOSE To analyze the effect and long-term success rate of using glass fiber post or metal post in restoration of anterior tooth defect. METHODS One hundred and fifty cases with anterior tooth defects were chosen after root canal therapy in our hospital. According to different material being chosen, the patients were divided into fiber post group and metal post group with 75 cases in each group. Local gingival sulcus fluid (GCF) levels and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in gingival sulcus liquid were measured and compared 4 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years after restoration. Restoration integrity, edge fitness and color matching of two groups were compared after follow-up for 3 years. The data were analyzed with SPSS 19.0 software package. RESULTS Four weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after restoration, local GCF, ALP levels significantly elevated in both groups. The fiber post group showed more significant elevated levels of GCF and ALP than the metal post group (P<0.05). After 2 and 3 years, the difference between the two groups was not significant. The gingival color matching degrees were significantly better in the glass fiber post group after 1 year compared with that in the metal post group(P<0.05). The success rate of metal post group was significantly higher than that of fiber post group 3 years after restoration(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Fiber post and metal post both have satisfactory restoration result for tooth defect in anterior teeth area. However, the use of precious metal alloy post may reduce the possibility of microleakage between tooth-prosthesis surfaces.