EFFECT OF THREE ENDODONTIC SEALERS ON THE BOND STRENGTH OF PREFABRICATED FIBER POSTS LUTED WITH THREE RESIN CEMENTS

Statement of problem. There is limited information in the literature regarding the effect of eugenol-based sealers on the bond strength of resin-bonded endodontic posts. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 1 resin-based and 2 different eugenol-based endodontic sealers on the bond strength of prefabricated fiber posts luted with 3 different resin cements. Material and methods. One hundred thirty-five prefabricated fiber posts were luted into extracted single-rooted teeth with 1 of 3 composite resin cements (Rely X Unicem, Paracore, and Variolink II). Specimens were divided into 3 groups with 45 teeth each. The first 2 groups were obturated with gutta percha and 1 of 2 eugenol-based endodontic sealers (Endofil, Tubli-Seal). The third group was obturated with a resin-based root canal sealer (AH26). The forces required for dislodgment of posts from their prepared post spaces were recorded by using a universal testing machine. Data were collected and a 2-way ANOVA was applied to the mean retentive strengths of various combinations of sealer and cement. A Tukey multiple comparison test was performed to determine which groups were significantly different (alpha=.05). Results. Endofil and Tubli-Seal (eugenol-based sealers) groups had significantly lower bond strengths for the posts than the AH26 group (P<.001). There was no significant difference between the means of post bond strength for the Endofil and Tubli-Seal groups. There was significant difference among the means of post bond strength for all 3 cement groups (P<.05). Conclusions. Endofil and Tubli-Seal (eugenol-based) sealers demonstrated significantly reduced mean bond strength for prefabricated fiber posts luted with resin cement. Rely X Unicem resin cement exhibited higher mean bond strength than with Paracore and Variolink II resin cements when a eugenol sealer was used. (J Prosthet Dent 2012;107:322-326)