Photoelastic stress analysis of different post and core restoration methods.

The aim of this study was to compare three types of post and core systems by analyzing the stress magnitude within the root. To this end, two-dimensional photoelastic simulation models of endodontically treated maxillary central incisors were fabricated. Three different types of post and core systems were selected for this study: composite resin post and core, composite resin core in combination with a glass fiber post, and conventional cast metal post and core. The fabricated models were observed in a transmission polariscope with the same loading force (400 N) on 45 degrees palatal direction and the fringe orders registered were thereby analyzed. Results obtained in this study suggested that abutment build-up using composite resin core in combination with a glass fiber post model produced the lowest stress concentration and is hence effective in preventing stress concentration in the case of restored endodontically treated teeth.