Guidelines for using posts in the restoration of endodontically treated teeth.

A review of the literature was done to determine when posts are required for restoring endodontically treated teeth and to give guidance on preparation of post space, design of posts, and use of luting agents. Posts were deemed to be unnecessary when adequate coronal tooth structure was present to retain a core. It was found that tooth structure should not be removed to construct a stronger post. The thinnest post with adequate strength was recommended. For best retention, it was found that post surfaces should not be smooth. When resin reinforced glass ionomer cements were used, they were found to be potentially harmful to restored teeth. Remaining coronal tooth structure was found to have the highest correlation in regard to success of the final restoration of endodontically treated teeth.