Influence of Different Fibreglass Post Geometries on the Stress Distribution and Pull-Out Bond Strength Before and After Mechanical Cycling

OBJECTIVE: There are no reports in the literature on whether FGP geometry influences the bond strength of the endodontically restored tooth. This study aimed to determine the stress distribution and the pull-out bond strength of different FGP geometries, before and after chewing loads simulation. METHODS: One hundred and twenty root analogues were prepared and randomly distributed in six groups according to the post geometry. Half of the specimens were aged in water at 37 °C using a mechanical fatigue machine (84 N, 2 bar, 45°, 10(6) cycles, 4 Hz); while the remaining specimens were immediately submitted to the pull-out bond strength test. The specimens were tested in a universal testing machine and the bond strength in MPa was calculated. To assess the stress concentration, the finite element method was used simulating the same post geometries that were used in the in vitro test. RESULTS: Two-way ANOVA (95%) showed no influence of post geometry on the bond strength (P=0.055) while fatigue cycling was statistical significant to reduce the bond strength values (P=0.000). The factors interaction was significant (P=0.019); however, TUKEY test (5%) showed no significant difference between post geometries after mechanical cycling. The tensile stress result showed critical areas in the post’s cervical region regardless of the design. CONCLUSION: The FGP geometry does not affect the root stress distribution and the long-term bond strength. However, FGP that allow a reduced cement layer thickness can improve the immediate pull-out bond strength value.