Comparative evaluation of fracture resistance of overly flared endodontically treated fractured maxillary central incisors restored with three different esthetic post systems – An in vitro study

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the fracture resistance of overly flared endodontically treated fractured maxillary central incisors restored using fiber post, Rebilda Post GT, and Dentapreg Pin Post systems. Methods: Sixty-six extracted maxillary central incisors were decoronated 3 mm coronal to cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and endodontically treated. For each of the specimens, post space was prepared using Peeso drill #1–6. Further, #703 carbide bur was used to flare the canals and subjected to cone-beam computed tomography to standardize remaining dentinal thickness to <1.5 mm (1.2–1.4 mm) when measured at CEJ. Teeth were then randomly divided into 3 groups ( n = 22) based on posts used as: Group 1: prefabricated fiber post, Group 2: Rebilda Post GT, and Group 3: Dentapreg Pin Post. Posts were luted using resin cement. All specimens were restored with porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, thermos-cycled, and subjected to fracture resistance testing using a universal testing machine. Data were subjected to the Normalcy test (Shapiro–Wilk test). Data showed normal distribution. Hence, a parametric test (analysis of variance with post hoc Bonferroni) was applied. Results: The mean load at fracture for endodontically treated teeth restored with Rebilda Post GT (321.867 ± 8.032) > Dentapreg Pin Post (301.730 ± 22.820) > prefabricated fiber post (120.001 ± 6.508), and this difference in mean load was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Fracture resistance of overly flared maxillary central incisors restored with Rebilda Post GT is greater than Dentapreg Pin Post, which is greater than prefabricated fiber post.