Surface Treatments for Improving Bond Strength to Prefabricated Fiber Posts: A Literature Review

Abstract

This literature review summarizes the research on fiber post surface treatments and provides information related to their benefit in enhancing bond strength to composites, based on the results of original scientific full papers from peer-reviewed journals listed in Pub Med. The search was conducted using the terms "fiber post," "surface treatment," "surface conditioning," "etching" and "sandblasting." A consistent number of in vitro studies that investigated the surface treatment of fiber posts in an attempt to improve bond strength have been published to date. Their results have been summarized in the following categories: chemical treatments and micromechanical treatments of fiber post surfaces (or a combination of both principles). The majority of available literature data is based on studies that investigated different "chairside" post superficial treatments. According to the in vitro results, surface conditioning improves fiber post bonding properties, and the bond strength of pre-treated fiber posts to restorative materials is satisfactory. Long-term clinical studies are needed prior to making a general recommendation for their use.

Etching a Fiber Post Surface with High-concentration Bleaching Agents

“…12,13,[15][16][17][18][21][22][23] Sandblasting procedures with alumina particles 21,22 or aluminum oxide particles modified by silica 23 (Rocatec System, 3M ESPE) increase the roughness of the post surface and permit the mechanical bonding of resin-based materials to the fiber post. The use of Rocatec also allows chemical bonding by silanization due to the presence of the silica-coated surface.…”

“…The organic component of fiber posts is generally composed of epoxy resin, which has a high degree of conversion and is highly crosslinked. 11,12 Thus, this polymer matrix is virtually unable to react with the monomers of resin cements. Among the various treatments proposed to improve adhesion to the fiber-post surface, silanization has been assessed in several laboratory studies.…”

“…15 Therefore, treating the post in order to roughen the surface and expose the glass fibers has been suggested; it allows for micromechanical interlocking of the adhesive/cement with the post. 12 In addition, chemical bonding may be established by using silane. 12,[15][16][17] Among chairside procedures, post-surface treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) is a simple and effective method to improve the bonding of adhesive/ cement to the fiber post.…”

“…12 In addition, chemical bonding may be established by using silane. 12,[15][16][17] Among chairside procedures, post-surface treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) is a simple and effective method to improve the bonding of adhesive/ cement to the fiber post. Selectively, H 2 O 2 removes the surface layer of epoxy resin and exposes the glass fibers, 15,18 resulting in chemical bonding between the adhesive/cement and the exposed fibers due to the ability of silane to couple with hydroxide-covered surfaces (such as glass fibers).…”

Effect of Different Surface Treatments on Cone Beam Computed Tomography Image and Push Out Bond Strength of Conventional and Reinforced Fiber Posts.

“…Roughening the fiber post surface with micromechanical procedures can bring the glass fibers in better contact with silane coupling agent, 60,61 so sandblasting is used to roughen the fiber posts surface for better bonding. 62,63 This results in accordance with our results.…”