Comparison of fracture resistance of primary incisor teeth restored with glass fiber post and reversed-oriented metal post – An in vitro study

BACKGROUND: This in vitro study aimed to compare the fracture resistance of fiber post and reversed-oriented metal post in the restoration of severely decayed primary incisors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in vitro study, forty extracted human primary incisors were sectioned horizontally 1 mm above the CEJ and randomly divided into four groups – Group 1: Central incisors restored with reverse-oriented metal post, Group 2: Lateral incisors restored with reverse-oriented metal post, Group 3: Central incisors restored with fiber post, and Group 4: Lateral incisors restored with fiber post. The coronary portion of the teeth was then restored with nanohybrid universal composite. The fracture resistance was measured using universal testing machine. The type of fracture was determined by employing a stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA test. The level of significance was considered at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean fracture resistance of glass fiber posts (208.00 ± 73.19) was higher than the reverse-oriented metal posts (190.37 ± 56.36); however, there was no significant difference between any of the groups (P = 0.353). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that both types of posts studied in the present research can be successfully used in the restoration of severely damaged primary incisors.