COMPARISON OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF VARIOUS POST AND CORE MATERIALS

Statement of problem: Many kinds of post and core systems are in the market, but there are no clear selection criteria for them. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of core materials, and measure the bending strength of post systems made of a variety of materials. Material and Methods: The flexural strength and elastic modulus of thirteen kinds core buildup materials were measured on beams of specimens of $2.0{\times}2.0{\times}24{\pm}0.1mm$. Ten specimens per group were fabricated and loaded on an lnstron testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.25mm/min. A test span of 20 mm was used. The failure loads were recorded and flexural strength calculated with the measured dimensions. The elastic modulus was calculated from the slopes of the linear portions of the stress-stram graphs. Also nine kinds commercially available prefabricated posts made of various materials with similar nominal diameters, approximately 1.25mm, were loaded in a three-point bend test until plastic deformation or failure occurred. Ten posts per group were tested and the obtained data were anaylzed with analysis of variance and compared with the Tukey multiple comparison tests. Results: Clearfil Photo Core and Luxacore had flexural strengths approaching amalgam, but its modulus of elasticity was only about 15% of that of amalgam. The strengths of the glass ionomer and resin modified glass ionomer were very low. The heat pressed glass ceramic core had a high elastic modulus but a relatively low flexural strength approximating that of the lower strength composite resin core materials. The stainless steel, zirconia and carbon fiber post exhibited high bending strengths. The glass fiber posts displayed strengths that were approximately half of the higher strength posts. Conclusion: When moderate amounts of coronal tooth structure are to be replaced by a post and core on an anterior tooth, a prefabricated post and high strength, high elastic modulus core may be suitable. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS In this study several newly introduced post and core systems demonstrated satisfactory physical properties. However when the higher stress situation exists with only a minimal ferrule extension remaining a cast post and core or zirconia post and pressed core are desirable.