BACKGROUND The restoration of endodontically treated teeth is a challenge as these teeth loose significant part of the tooth structure due to caries, previous restorative procedures, endodontic access cavity preparation or due to loss of moisture supplied by dentin, which makes them weak. The restoration of such teeth is accomplished by using post and core, to prevent further destruction and to provide retention for the core, before a crown or a fixed partial denture can be placed. Post-retained crowns are indicated for endodontically treated teeth (ETT) with severely damaged coronal tissue. There are still controversies for the most suitable choice of restorative material and the placement method that will result in the highest success rate. This clinical study compares the para post, fiber post and ceramic post in the restoration of the endodontically treated teeth. We wanted to evaluate and compare the retentive properties of three different post systems used for endodontically treated teeth for providing restoration. METHODS Sixty extracted human, single rooted, caries free, non-fractured tooth were selected and disinfected using 2% chlorhexidine solution and subsequently stored in distilled water. Each group consists of 20 samples. The crown structures of teeth were separated from root at cemento-enamel junction. Canal was obturated with gutta-percha and endodontic sealer. The posts were coated with Selfcem and also the resin cement was transported into the canal by the lentulospiral. A custom made two-piece stainless-steel mould was used for fabrication of standard size resin blocks in which teeth specimens were mounted. After the complete curing of autopolymerising acrylic resin, after 30-45 minutes, the block was retrieved from the mould. The specimen with acrylic block was mounted on lower jaw of universal testing machine. The retentive strength was calculated as maximum tensile load that a sample can withstand post dislodgement. RESULTS Descriptive statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA, multiple comparison Tukey test were used. SPSS Ver. 16.0 was used for statistical analysis. Statistical analysis showed significant difference between the retentive strengths of all the three post systems (p<0.05). Group I: 259.17±27.37, Group II: 153.83±29.16, and group III: 118.40 ± 12.95. Paraposts showed highest retention followed by Fiberposts and then followed by Ceramic posts. CONCLUSIONS Prefabricated metal posts have the highest retention when compared with the other two post systems.