ABSTRACT
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Translucent fiber posts were developed to conduct light into the root canal more effectively, thereby contributing to the polymerization of dual-polymerized resin luting agents. However, there is no consensus in the literature regarding their effectiveness. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tensile bond strength of fiber posts with different degrees of translucency to bovine dentin with 3 types of resin luting agents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety bovine roots were endodontically treated and divided into 9 groups (n=10) according to the type of post (translucent, white, and black) and resin luting agent (dual-polymerized self-adhesive; dual-polymerized + etch-and-rinse adhesive system; and autopolymerized + etch-and-rinse adhesive system). Tensile tests were performed on a universal testing machine (0.5 mm/min). To determine tensile stress, the bond area of each specimen was calculated. Data were statistically analyzed with ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests (α=.05). RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation) tensile bond strength values (5.53 ± 2.29 MPa) were significantly lower for translucent posts than for white (9.51 ± 1.31 MPa) and black posts (10.12 ± 3.44 MPa) with a dual-polymerized luting agent in combination with an adhesive system (P=.012). For white (6.02 ± 1.88 MPa) and black posts (4.14 ± 0.6 MPa), the self-adhesive luting agent led to lower tensile bond strength than the dual-polymerized luting agent in combination with an adhesive system (P=.003). Irrespective of post type, the autopolymerized luting agent provided the lowest tensile bond strength (P<.001). Microscopic analysis revealed that resin luting agents adhered more to the post surface than to the root dentin. CONCLUSION: Post translucency did not increase the tensile bond strength of dual-polymerized resin luting agents.