Fiber-reinforced resin posts (fiber posts)

The restoration of endodontically treated teeth has been subject of controversy over many years. It was believed that the exclusive function of a post was to provide retention for the coronal restoration. More recent evidence suggests that fi ber-reinforced resin posts (or fi ber posts) may actually strengthen the root when luted with an adhesive technique. Fiber posts have an elastic modulus similar to that of dentin, which may make them mechanically compatible with root canal dentin. Clinical studies have reported lower incidence of catastrophic fractures with fi ber posts compared to more rigid posts. As clinical success depends on both the quality of the root canal treatment and that of the coronal restoration, the challenge faced by clinicians is to achieve a tight seal between the root canal walls and the fi ber post, while retaining the post securely to the root canal walls. This chapter describes the types of prefabricated posts, advantages and disadvantages of each type, and frequent myths associated with the use of posts in the root canal, besides clinically relevant considerations including a review of some clinical studies.