OBJECTIVE: To investigate advantages and disadvantages of preexisting metal post, casting metal post, ceramic post, and fiber post for clinical application, and to evaluate mechanical function, esthetical performance, and biocompatibility of fiber post.
METHODS: Articles were retrieved with the key words of “fiber post, post-core restoration, dental materials, cement material, binder” in both English and Chinese between January 1990 and October 2008. Inclusion criteria: Articles addressing clinical application of fiber post for repairing residual root and crown were included. Exclusion criteria: Duplicated studies or Meta analysis was excluded. A total of 24 articles were included to investigate mechanical function, biocompatibility, and stickiness and retention of fiber post.
RESULTS: Traditionally, metal post was easily folded and corrosive; in addition, esthetical performance and biocompatibility were still dissolved. Intension, hardness, esthetical performance, corrosion proof, fatigue resistance, and biocompatibility of fiber post were superior to those of traditional metal post. Furthermore, fiber post was able to highly adhere to root canal dentin via resin splicing agent, which could prolong useful life of dental prosthetic restoration, reduce root folded onset, and benefit for dental storage and repairing. Light mass of fiber post was another advantage compared with metal post. If the repair was failure, fiber post was easily taken out and reused. The combination of fiber post and resin nucleus was beneficial for dental prosthetic restoration which was highly closed to original structure of natural teeth.
CONCLUSION: Fiber post was characterized by suitable elastic modulus, great esthetical repairing effect, reliable stickiness, easy identification and removal, high achievement ratio of repairing, and convenient operation; therefore, fiber post was a new and ideal material for clinical application.