2009 Volume 28 Issue 2 Pages 204-211
The aim of this study was to compare three types of post and core systems by analyzing the stress magnitude within the root. To this end, two-dimensional photoelastic simulation models of endodontically treated maxillary central incisors were fabricated. Three different types of post and core systems were selected for this study: composite resin post and core, composite resin core in combination with a glass fiber post, and conventional cast metal post and core. The fabricated models were observed in a transmission polariscope with the same loading force (400 N) on 45° palatal direction and the fringe orders registered were thereby analyzed. Results obtained in this study suggested that abutment build-up using composite resin core in combination with a glass fiber post model produced the lowest stress concentration and is hence effective in preventing stress concentration in the case of restored endodontically treated teeth.