Advisory Committee Chair
John O Burgess
Advisory Committee Members
Perng-Ru Liu
Daniel Givan
Amjad Javed
Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
2015
Degree Name by School
Master of Science (MS) School of Dentistry
Abstract
Objectives: The primary purpose of this study is to measure and compare the light transmission, radiopacity and microscopic structure of a new fiber optic post compared to a clinically successful fiber post. Materials and Methods: A. The radiopacity of seven posts was evaluated in terms of average intensity values calculated in histograms produced by computer-based software. B. The two types of fiber posts were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and evaluated by computer-assisted image analysis. C. Two experimental groups with sample size n=12 included the D.T. Light posts and iLumi Fiber Optic posts. Two aluminum assemblies forming two cylindrical canals were used for the application of light curing resin cement. The insertion of the post was directed by a plastic matrix to control placement into the center of the canal. The coronal end of the posts was then light-cured for 60s at intervals of 20s with a polyphase curing light. The weight and total length of the cured resin cement remaining after removal of the uncured resin from an organic solvent were measured. Coronal and middle sections of 1mm thickness were produced from the specimens of cured resin-post and a push-out test was performed to evaluate the bonding of these posts to the resin. Results: The iLumi Fiber Optic Posts demonstrated significantly greater radiopacity than the measured fiber posts but less than the stainless steel post. SEM analysis of the fibers orientation and density between the two posts indicated that the new post could produce significant light transmission. The cured resin cement weight and length remaining after the dissolving effect of the organic solvent were significantly greater with the iLumi post. The push-out bond strength values found to be slightly higher for the iLumi post indicating the ability of these posts to bond to the resin. Conclusions: The iLumi Fiber Optic Posts have a unique structural fiber composition, superior radiopacity and light-transmitting ability that allow more complete curing of the resin cement. Post retention, one of the major factors for failure, should be improved with this new post.
Recommended Citation
Stylianou, Antigoni, "Light Transmitting Fiber Posts - An In Vitro Evaluation." (2015). All ETDs from UAB. 3059.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/3059