Radiographic Assessment of the Quality of Post & Core Restorations Performed by Dental Students at Qassim University Dental Clinics

Abstract

Introduction: A post usually made of prefabricated or custom made that is fitted into a prepared root canal of a natural tooth. Core is the foundation restoration which restores adequate coronal anatomy of a vital or endodontically treated tooth. When the post is combined with a core, it provides retention and resistance for an artificial crown. The primary purpose of the post is to retain a core restoration and crown, and also to redistribute the stresses onto the root, thereby diminishes the risk of coronal fracture. The post does not have any role in reinforcing or supporting the tooth. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of the post and core restorations with postoperative periapical digital radiographs performed by undergraduate students at the College of Dentistry, Qassim University.Materials and methods: A total of 421 periapical digital radiographs were assessed. The assessment includes the type of tooth, type of arch, type of post, length of post, the presence of any abnormality in post space, status of the remaining gutta-percha (GP), and if there is any spaces between the end of post and GP. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program (version 23) .Results: Maxillary teeth were the most frequently restored teeth with post (67.2%) and majority of the cases were comprised of premolars (57.2%). Similarly, glass fiber post (89.1%) with taper shaped were the most widely used post. The majority of the post featured a width of one-third of the root (81%). Length of the post with crown: post ratio of 1:3 was observed as the most frequently used (60.8%), whereas those of post length with crown: post ratio of 1:2 (25.4 %) and 1:1 post length was least frequently used (13.8%). 28% of cases were presented with 3 to 5 mm of GP at their apical portion and 61.5% cases reached more than 5 mm. Approximately 5 to 8% of assessed cases revealed the widening of the periodontal ligaments.Conclusion: The performance of students was assessed by the quality of different types of post and core restorations with the postoperative periapical digital radiographs. The qualities of assessed post and core restorations prepared by the dental students were clinically acceptable.

Radiographic Analysis of Posts Performed by Undergraduate Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The present study revealed that posts were more frequently used in maxillary teeth. These results supported the findings by Jamani et al, Al-Hamad et al, Mathar and Almutairi, and Mattoo et al 22 , 24 , 26 , 27 Our findings showed that most of the teeth restored with posts were premolars, followed by anterior teeth then molars. Our results agree with findings reported by Mathar and Almutairi, where 57.2% of the cases were premolars.…”

“… 22 , 26 , 27 However, this study showed lower values in terms of post length to root length (33%) in comparison to Mattoo et al (40.5%) 22 and Mathar and Almutairi (60.8%) but was superior to the results of Jamani et al and Nimigean et al (39.64% and 29.91%). 23 , 24 , 27 …”

“…These results disagree with some previously reported findings by Jamani et al and Al-Hamad et al, who reported that the most frequently restored teeth with posts were incisors followed by premolars. 24 , 26 , 27 …”

“…Similar findings were reported by Mattoo et al (81%), Al-Hamad et al (62%), Mathar and Almutairi (89.1%), and Jamani et al (74%). 22 , 24 , 26 , 27 This can be due to the fact that they are more conservative to the radicular dentin. 30 …”

“… 25 Mathar and Almutairi assessed the quality of 421 posts performed by dental students at Qassim University using periapical dental radiographs, and reported clinically acceptable results. 27 …”