A new classification of post and core

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Indian Journal Of Restorative Dentistry,Sept-Dec2015;4(3):56-58.
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
A new classification of post and core
S Vijay Singh1, Anil Chandra2 , I K Pandit3
1 Professor and Head, Department of Conservative Dentistry and endodontics, D.A.V Dental College and
Hospital, Yamunanagar, 2Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, King George’s
Dental University, Lucknow, 3 Professor and Head, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry,
D.A.V Dental College and Hospital, Yamunanagar. Corresponding author: Dr. S. Vijay Singh, Professor
and Head, Department of Conservative Dentistry and endodontics, D.A.V Dental College and Hospital,
Yamunanagar-135003, Haryana. Mob-09416022630. E-mail- drvijay.endo@gmail.com.
Abstract
Introduction: Post is commonly used to provide
adequate support and retention for the restoration of
endodontically treated teeth. Various classifications
of post and core were given in the past. However
classification needs to be updated because of
availability of newer post and core material in the
market. Materials and Methods: Electronic search
on Pub Med and hand search were performed to
identify relevant literature and were thoroughly
screened before the articles were included in the
study. Based upon the search, various classifications
related to post and core have been given by many
authors, however, it was observed that certain aspect
of the classification of post and core were not
updated. Therefore, the manuscript is an attempt to
emphasise the need to develop a new classification
system for post and core. Conclusion: The new
classification on post and core has been proposed by
the authors. The new classification aims at better
understanding of post and core and can be a valuable
tool for clinician and researcher.
Keywords
classification, core, post.
Source of support: Nil
Conflict of interest: None
How to cite this article: Singh SV, Chandra A,
Pandit IK. A new classification of post and core.
Ind J Rest Dent 2015;4(3):56-58.
Introduction
The restoration of endodontically treated teeth has
always been an area of concern and the recent
past has witnessed an implosion of interest in the
field with regard to functional and esthetic
problems. Despite the large number of in-vitro
and in-vivo investigations, there is still much
confusion regarding ideal treatment (1).
Restoration of endodontically treated teeth
required knowledge of material science, defect
analysis, force analysis, and mechanical
engineering principles of preparation and designs
(2). Trauma and decay are mostly associated with
an extensive loss of tooth structure, necessitating
restoration of the tooth with a complete crown for
esthetic and functional rehabilitation. It is
impossible to achieve sufficient anchorage of a
restoration in the remaining dentin when a large
portion of the crown has been lost to damage. In
such situations, post and core restorations are
required for additional retention (3,4). “Post and
core as an single unit or in combination of the
individual units is a restorative procedure wherein
a post can be defined as a rigid extension placed
in the root canal space of an endodontically
treated tooth so as to provide retention and
stabilize a weakened tooth by providing support
to the core and a core can be defined as a
restorative material used for replacement
foundation of extensively damaged
endodontically treated tooth, that is built up on the
remaining tooth structure or is in-cooperated into
the post to provide an anchorage to the crown
meant for final restoration” (5). Following in the
wake of changing treatment concepts, the material
market for posts has undergone a complete
makeover. Ranging from the era of wooden posts
to metal posts and more recently, carbon fiber,
glass fiber, and ceramic posts, the material and
design options are infinite. For nearly a century,
the cast metal or prefabricated metal posts have
dominated the market. In the last few years there

Indian Journal Of Restorative Dentistry,Sept-Dec2015;4(3):56-58.
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has been an implosion of new materials, changing
the trend toward prefabricated metal posts, resin-
based composite cores, fiber reinforced resin-
based composite posts and ceramic posts (1). The
introduction of direct post and core restorations,
associated techniques and materials have also
improved significantly with advancement taking
place in the field of dentistry. However, the
classification of post and core is not updated with
the recent trend and there are still certain revision
required as the present classification given is
incomplete. In view of the above facts, there is a
need of a new classification system that is more
comprehensive and uncomplicated.
Material and methods
A literature survey was performed of the database
of Pub Med to identify all the articles published
using the following key words: ‘classification of
post core restoration in endodontics’ (Titles
selected = 36). Hand search was also performed to
review the articles on ‘classification of post core
restoration in endodontics’. The selection criteria
were limited to articles in English; the articles not
in English were excluded from the study. Titles,
abstracts and full text of all the articles were
analyzed by two examiners for the meta-analysis
portion. On the basis of the search various
classification were given by many researcher.
Classification based on preformed and custom
cast, metallic and non-metallic, stiff and flexible,
esthetic and unaesthetic, were commonly used.
However with advancement many further
classifications have been introduced.(6-11)
 According to various authors
 According to the technique of fabrication
 According to the fit of the post
 According to the material used
 According to the type of esthetic post
However, each of the above classifications of post
and core is not complete and updated with the
recent trend and there are still certain changes
required. In view of the above facts a new
classification has been given on the evidence of
the present literature that is more comprehensive,
easy and uncomplicated.
Proposed Classification of Post and Core
A. Classification of Cast Post:
I. According to type of alloy.
1. Gold alloy
2. Chrome-Cobalt alloy
3. Nickel-Chromium alloy
II. According to number of Post.
1. Single Post
2. Multiple Post
a. One Piece Post
b. Two Piece Post
 Two piece cast post
 Combination of cast post
and prefabricated post
B. Classification of Prefabricated Post
I. According to Taper
1. Parallel
2. Tapered
3. Parallel Tapered
II. According to surface character
1. Smooth
2. Serrated
3. Self threading
III. According to fit
1. Active
2. Pasive
IV. According to material
1. Metallic
i) Titanium
ii) Stainless steel
iii) Brass
2. Non-Metallic*
i) Non-Esthetic
a. Carbon fibre post
ii) Esthetic Post
a. Polyethelene fibre
b. Glass fibre
c. Quartz
d. Ceramic
V. According to light transmission
1. Light transmitting
2. Non-Light transmitting
VI. According to Vent
1. With Vent
2. Without Vent
VII. According to Monoblock
formation
1. Monobloc formation
2. No Monobloc formation
*CAN BE CLASSIFIED UNDER ESTHETIC
POST
Conclusion
The new classification on post and core has been
proposed on the evidence present in the recent
literature. The classification is simple to
understand, comprehensive and uncomplicated
and can be a good tool for the clinician and
researchers.
References

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Downloaded from www.jrdindia.org
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