Objectives: To investigate the morphology and composition of aesthetic fiber-reinforced endodontic posts.
Methods: The posts tested were Bisco Aesthetic Pos (BE), D.T. Light-Post (PT), FRC Postec Plus (FR), Macrolock Post (MC), ParaPost Fiber White (PW) and Snowlight (SL). Three specimens from each post were studied by micro-XCT, SEM/X-ray EDS and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy.
Results: All posts were composed of unidirectional fibers with randomly distributed aggregates and amorphous matrix. The pattern of fibers was not uniform neither in the surface, nor in bulk. Retentive designs (threads, steps, etc) were associated with cut fiber segments with fractured and disloged particle fibers or amorphous phase. All posts were composed of C, O, Al, Si, Zr, and Ca. Other elements indentified were K and Ti (BE), Yb, F (FR) and Mg, S, Be (PW). Elemental mapping showed that Si, Al, Ca, Mg and O were mainly located in the fibers, whereas Zr, Ti, S, Na and Ba in the matrix. ATR-FTIR analysis exhibited –OH, CH3/CH2 and Si-O peaks in all posts and a C=O peak in BE.
Conclusions: Apart from differences in the design, there are similarities in the composition of the fiber materials and the inorganic matrix inserts among the posts tested. Most posts demonstrated the same binder composition. These results imply great structural similarity among the posts tested.