Push-out bond strength of oval versus circular fiber posts irradiated by erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Fiber posts in conjunction with resin cements are widely used to provide retention in endodontically treated teeth. The bond strength of restorative materials to root canal dentin is an important issue for the long-term success of restorative procedures. The push-out test is widely used to measure the bonding between the post and radicular dentin.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er-YAG) laser treatment of dentinal walls on the bond strength of circular and oval fiber posts luted in oval root canals.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty mandibular premolar teeth were endodontically treated and restored with 2 different intracanal post systems. Push-out tests were performed and data were analyzed by using 2-way analysis of variance and post hoc Bonferroni tests.

RESULTS

Laser pretreatment of dentinal walls resulted in higher push-out bond strength than that of the nonlasered groups (P<.05). Oval fiber posts showed significantly higher push-out bond strength values than those of circular fiber posts in the coronal region (P<.05). In the apical region, no statistically significant difference was noted among the groups regarding push-out bond strength (P>.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The laser pretreatment with an oval ultrasonic tip of an oval fiber post system improved bonding to root canal dentin when compared with a circular post system with conventional preparation.