Retentive properties of some simplified dowel-core systems to cast gold dowel and core.

The retentive capacity of three groups of dowel and core systems was compared by subjecting them to tensile loading. The following conclusions were made. Retentive values for Parapost dowels were significantly higher than those of both cast-gold and reinforced composite resin dowels and cores. Surface configuration of dowels appeared to be an important factor in retention. No significant differences were observed in the retentive values between cast-gold and obturator-reinforced composite resin dowels and cores. Retentive failure of the obturator-reinforced composite resin system always occurred in the composite resin-dentin interface.