Clinical performance of different post and core systems--results of a pilot study.

During the period 1974-1986, 112 post and core build-ups were inserted in 74 patients. The build-ups consisted of a metal prefabricated post (Dentatus, Unimetric or Radix) in combination with a composite core. After an average follow-up period of 7.9 years, 14 failures (12.5%) were noticed. Eight teeth could be rerestored and six teeth had to be extracted. However, when correction was made for teeth with a bad initial prognosis and for extractions not related to the build-up restoration, eight failures remained caused by failure of the build-up (7.5%). The Dentatus posts seemed to increase the risk for failure.