2009 Volume 28 Issue 5 Pages 602-609
This study was aimed at evaluating the fracture resistance of structurally compromised roots restored with four different post and core systems. Thirty-two bovine roots were uniformly shaped to simulate human mandibular premolar roots. The roots were divided into four groups based on the type of restoration: cemented cast post and core (Group MC), resin composite build-up (Group CR), resin composite and prefabricated glass fiber post build-up (Group FRC), and thick-layer dual-cured resin composite-reinforced small-diameter tapered cast post and core (Group CRM). After a static loading test, the failure mode and fracture resistance were recorded. Group CRM (719.38±196.73 N) exhibited a significantly high fracture resistance compared with the other groups (Group MC: 429.56±82.43 N; Group CR: 349.56±66.21 N; Group FRC: 398.94±112.71 N; p<0.05). In conclusion, Group CRM exhibited better mechanical properties for structurally compromised roots with no ferrules, although all types of restorations showed non-restorable fracture modes.