Measuring Bond Strength Between Fiber Post and Root Dentin: A Comparison of Different Tests

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of bond strength tests to accurately measure the bond strength of fiber posts luted into root canals. Materials and Methods: The test methods studied were hourglass microtensile (HM), push-out (PS), modified pushout (MP), and pull-out (PL). The evaluated parameters were: bond strength values, reliability (using Weibull analysis), failure mode (using confocal microscopy), and stress distribution (using finite element analysis). Forty human intact single-rooted and endodontically treated teeth were divided into four groups. Each group was assigned one of the test methods. The samples in the HM and PS groups were 1.0 ± 0.1 mm thick; the HM samples were hourglass shaped and the PS samples were disk shaped. For the PL and MP groups, each 1-mm dentin slice was luted with a fiber post piece. Three-dimensional models of each group were made and stress was analyzed based on Von Mises criteria. Results: PL provided the highest values of bond strength, followed by MP, both of which also had greater amounts of adhesive failures. PS showed the highest frequency of cohesive failures. MP showed a more homogeneous stress distribution and a higher Weibull modulus. Conclusion: The specimen design directly influences the biomechanical behavior of bond strength tests. Schlagwörter: bond strength, fiber post, root dentin, scanning confocal microscopy, finite element analysis