Posts and cores: when to use them.

ABSTRACT

The two overriding factors for successful post restoration are 1. Retention, i.e., resistance to torsional forces. Published research is clear that threaded posts are the method of choice for the restoration of endodontically treated teeth in order to achieve optimal success. Prethreaded and self-threaded are the two systems from which to choose. The words active and passive should be applied to the method of producing threads, not the posts. The most gentle way to produce a thread is with a thread cutter. 2. Stress distribution of some cylindrical threaded posts has been shown to be far superior to nonthreaded cylindrical and nonthreaded tapered posts. With the acceptance of threaded, cylindrical prefabricated posts, new terminology has evolved, and the use and meaning of these words has been made more precise.