Vertical root fracture and relative deformation during obturation and post cementation.

There are several speculated etiologies of vertical root fractures such as pressure exerted during post placement and excessive forces during lateral condensation. However, there are no reports comparing these two forces by use of the same measurement system. This study determined and compared on single-rooted teeth (1) the amount of strain to the root that occurs during obturation and post cementation and (2) the incidence of incomplete and complete vertical root fractures occurring during the aforementioned procedures. Canals of 32 extracted maxillary central incisors were step-back prepared. Teeth were randomly divided into negative and positive controls and experimental groups. The amount of root distortion was recorded with a strain gauge during each of the following procedures: (1) lateral condensation, and (2) lateral condensation plus cementation of a cast gold post. Relative deformations were compared statistically. Teeth were examined by transillumination and stereomicroscopy for incomplete and complete fractures and compared among groups. Data showed significantly more relative deformation with placement of a post and loading than with obturation alone. The accumulation of strain from both procedures did not significantly increase incidence of vertical root fractures. The results indicate that stresses from cementation of posts is more likely to cause relative deformation of roots.