Objectives: To evaluate the light transmission of three glass fiber dental posts with a simple and viable method, and correlate that transmission with the structure of the posts.
Method: Inside a dark box, a regular curing light (Coltolux LED) and a digital photographic camera (Canon Rebel EO5 T1) were adapted. Groups of three types of glass fiber dental posts (FiberPost, 3M ESPE; EasyPost, Dentsply; Exacto, Angelus) were photographed inside the dark box, while exposed to the curing light. The pictures were taken with obturation speed of 1/8, aperture of 0.80 and resolution of 8 MP.
Images were analyzed with Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended (Adobe Systems Inc) and Matlab (MATLAB R2012b The MathWorks Inc., Natick, MA, 2000), to evaluate the differences of light transmission in every fiber glass post.
Result: The three dental posts showed different levels of transmission. The FiberPost transmits more light compared to the other tested posts.
Structure of the posts is being analyzed when the abstract is submitted.
Conclusion: The photo-induction produced by the tested posts may be different. The group of 3M posts may produce a better photo-induction and it may have better conformation of adhesive layer and therefore better final outcomes.