Comparative Study on Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Tooth in Relation to Variable Ferrule Heights Using Custom-made and Prefabricated Post and Core: An In Vitro Study

INTRODUCTION: Endodontically treated teeth have significantly differentphysical properties compared to vital teeth. To ensure functional longevity,endodontically treated teeth must have at least 5 mm of tooth structure coronalto the crestal bone, 2 mm of coronal tooth structure incisal to the preparationfinish line are necessary to ensure functional integrity. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth restored withcustom cast post, custom cast post with variable ferrule height and teethwithout ferrule, prefabricated post with variable ferrule height and teethwithout ferrule. To compare fracture resistance of teeth restored with customcast post and prefabricated post with variable ferrule heights. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methodology includes selection of teeth, root canal preparation,post space preparation, grouping of samples, Group A–custom cast post andcore with sub groups of variable ferrule height, pattern fabrication, Group A- pattern fabrication for customized cast post. Group B–pattern fabricationfor prefabricated post and core, investing and casting, cementation, custommade acrylic jig preparation, testing of specimens. RESULTS: The differencein the fracture load between the samples of Group A was highly significantat the 0.001 level. Subgroup A4 had highest fracture resistance while GroupA, possessed the least fracture resistance. Subgroups A2, A3 had fractureresistance value intermediate between A1, A4. CONCLUSION: Increasing theferrule height significantly increases (P < 0.001) the fracture resistance ofendodontically treated teeth restored with both custom made cast post andcore and prefabricated post with metal core. Comparatively the custom madecast post and core with variable ferrule height, especially 2 mm ferrule showedsignificant fracture resistance than prefabricated post with metal core. Thepresence of 2 mm ferrule height significantly increases (P < 0.001).