Basic Research—Technology
Comparison of the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Various Techniques for Removal of Fiber Posts

https://doi.org/10.1097/01.don.0000167397.60943.6eGet rights and content

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the efficiency and effectiveness of several techniques for fiber post removal. Four groups of 20 mandibular premolars were endodontically treated and obturated. Post spaces were prepared for the following post systems: ParaPost XH, ParaPost Fiber White, Luscent Anchors, and Aestheti-Plus. After cementation, 10 posts of each group were removed with their corresponding manufacturer’s removal kit and the other 10 removed with diamond burs and ultrasonics. Removal times were recorded and the teeth were sectioned vertically and microscopically analyzed for removal effectiveness based on a 0 to 5 point scale. Removal kits removed Luscent Anchors the fastest (mean = 3.9 min) and most effectively (mean = 2.6), while Aestheti-Plus posts were removed the slowest (mean = 7.3 min) and least effectively (mean = 3.4). Diamonds and ultrasonics required an average of 10 additional minutes for each fiber post system removal, yet removal effectiveness improved half a point. The results suggest recommended removal kits were significantly more efficient, while diamonds and ultrasonics were more effective. Removal kits could be enhanced with subsequent ultrasonic instrumentation to remove remaining fibers and cement.

Section snippets

Materials and Methods

Eighty extracted single-rooted mandibular premolars with similar lengths and widths were used in this study. A diamond disc model trimmer was used to remove the clinical crown 1 mm above the CEJ, perpendicular to the long axis of the root. The prepared teeth were stored in a 0.2% sodium azide solution until used.

The root canals were prepared with .04 ProFile rotary endodontic files (Dentsply/Tulsa Dental Products, Tulsa, OK) and a 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution. The filling procedures

Results

The means and SEMs for the removal and effectiveness are presented in Fig. 1. Two way ANOVA found a significant interaction, at p ≤ 0.05, for the type of method employed for extraction of each fiber post type for both time and effectiveness. The post hoc Tukey tests indicated that the removal kits required significantly less removal time for each post type (p ≤ 0.05). However, only the group 1 removal kit was significantly more effective in eliminating residual material from the canal walls.

Discussion

It has been suggested that one of the advantages of fiber posts is their ease of retrieval. This investigation determined that removal kits are necessary in order for the clinician to maintain efficiency; however, removal effectiveness results may be better achieved through ultrasonics and diamond burs.

The ParaPost XH was included as a control to determine whether fiber post removal was easier and more effective than removing conventional metal or titanium posts. If diamonds and ultrasonics

Cited by (47)

  • Accuracy and Efficiency of 3-dimensional Dynamic Navigation System for Removal of Fiber Post from Root Canal–Treated Teeth

    2021, Journal of Endodontics
    Citation Excerpt :

    The endodontist’s experience in removing posts from root canal–treated teeth may have contributed to this result. Previous studies investigated the risk of mishaps, including perforation during fiber post removal using different techniques2–5,29,30. In particular, Capar et al30 revealed that fiber post removal with drills does not significantly impact crack propagation, further supporting no occurrence of root fractures found in this study.

View all citing articles on Scopus
View full text