A 12 Years Retrospective Study of Teeth Restored with Composipost

Objectives: To evaluate the treatment outcome of teeth treated with carbon fiber reinforsed epoxy rein posts (Composipost) after 12 years. Methods: Data was collected from dental records of patients treated with Composipost as support for fixed partial dentures, between 1995 and 1997, by 45 Swedish general dental practitioners. The material initially comprised 601 teeth restored with carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy resin posts. At the 12 years follow-up 61 posts in 61 patients were lost due to factors not related to the posts. Thus, 540 posts placed on 219 incisors, 243 premolars and 139 molars were included in the 12-year follow-up. The mean follow-up time was 11.6 years, ranging from 1.46 to 15.76 years (median 12.4 years). Results: The number of complications was 32.5% (n=175 teeth) during the follow-up period. Of these the most frequent complications were loss of retention (51%), caries (17%), periapical inflammations (14%) and fractures (13%). Fracures were mainly seen as root fractures and not fractures of the posts. Hundred teeth, 19% of the total material or 57% of those with complications had been extracted at the 12-year follow-up. Thus, the survival rate after 12 years were 81%. Teeth with complications needed intevention 278 times. A clear correlation was seen between the number of post produced for each dentists and the number of complications. Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, after 12 years, teeth restored with Composipost has a high frequency of complications and seems to be technique demanding.