Post and core

Dental restoration technique

Post and Core

A post and core is a type of dental restoration used to sufficiently restore a tooth that has undergone endodontic therapy (root canal treatment) and has lost a significant amount of tooth structure. This procedure is typically necessary when there is not enough tooth structure remaining to support a conventional dental crown.

File:Dental post and core.jpg

Illustration of a post and core restoration.

Components

The post and core restoration consists of two main components:

Post

The post is a rod-like structure that is inserted into the root canal of the tooth. It serves to anchor the core to the tooth and provide support for the crown. Posts can be made from various materials, including:

• Metal (such as stainless steel or titanium)
• Fiber-reinforced composite
• Ceramic

The choice of material depends on factors such as the location of the tooth, the amount of remaining tooth structure, and aesthetic considerations.

Core

The core is the portion of the restoration that replaces the lost tooth structure and provides a foundation for the crown. It is built up around the post and can be made from materials such as:

• Composite resin
• Amalgam
• Glass ionomer cement

Procedure

The procedure for placing a post and core involves several steps:

1. Root Canal Treatment: The tooth must first undergo root canal therapy to remove the infected or damaged pulp tissue.
2. Post Space Preparation: After the root canal is filled, a portion of the filling material is removed to create space for the post.
3. Post Placement: The post is cemented into the prepared space within the root canal.
4. Core Build-up: The core material is applied around the post to rebuild the tooth structure.
5. Crown Placement: Finally, a dental crown is placed over the core to restore the tooth's function and appearance.

Indications

A post and core restoration is indicated in cases where:

• There is insufficient tooth structure to retain a crown.
• The tooth has undergone extensive decay or fracture.
• The tooth has been endodontically treated and requires additional support.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• Provides additional support and retention for the crown.
• Can restore severely damaged teeth.
• Improves the longevity of the restoration.

Disadvantages

• Requires removal of additional tooth structure.
• Risk of root fracture if the post is improperly placed.
• May not be suitable for teeth with short roots or thin walls.

Related pages

• Dental crown
• Endodontics
• Dental restoration
• Root canal treatment