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Journal of Prosthodontic Research 57 (2013) 20–23

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Original article
Polymerization efficiency through translucent and opaque
fiber posts and bonding to root dentin
Cássia F. Reginato DDS, Aline S. Oliveira DDS, Marina R. Kaizer DDS, MS,
Patrı́cia S. Jardim DDS, MS, PhD, Rafael R. Moraes DDS, MS, PhD*
School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil
Received 3 January 2012; received in revised form 16 April 2012; accepted 23 May 2012
Available online 30 October 2012

Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the polymerization efficiency through translucent and opaque glass fiber posts and the bond strength of a self-adhesive
resin to root dentin.
Methods: Translucent and opaque silanated conical posts, identical in length, diameter and shape (n = 8), were cemented to incisor bovine roots
using RelyX Unicem Clicker. Photoactivation was performed only through the posts. The roots were transversally sectioned (cervical, middle and
apical thirds) and the push-out test was carried out. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Fisher’s LSD method (5%). Failure modes
were classified under magnification. An elastomer mold of a bovine incisor root was filled with flowable composite and the posts inserted into the
mold. After photoactivation through the post and removal of unpolymerized material, the polymerization efficiency was estimated by percentage of
mass gain (n = 5). Data were analyzed using t-test (5%).
Results: The bond strength of the translucent post was higher than the opaque post for all root thirds. For both posts the bond strength at the cervical
third was higher than at the middle and apical thirds. A predominance of adhesive failures was detected for all conditions. Mixed failures were more
frequently observed for the opaque post. Almost all the composite polymerized and bonded to the extension of the translucent post, whereas
polymerization of the composite was restricted to the cervical area of the opaque post.
Conclusions: The use of translucent post may positively influence the polymerization efficiency and bond strength of resin cement to
intraradicular dentin.
# 2012 Japan Prosthodontic Society. Published by Elsevier Ireland. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Light-curing; Endodontically treated teeth; Glass-fiber post; Resin luting agent; Root dentin

1. Introduction During luting of posts using resin cements, a significant

The use of dual-cure resin cements to lute glass fiber posts
into root canals is a common clinical procedure [1,2]. In the last
few years, self-adhesive resin cements (SARCs) emerged as an
alternative to conventional resin cements. SARCs simplify the
luting procedures by eliminating the etching, priming and
bonding steps of the tooth structure [3–5]. The adhesive
properties of SARCs are attributed to acidic functional
monomers that demineralize and simultaneously infiltrate the
substrate. Secondary reactions have been suggested to provide
additional chemical bonding to the hard dental tissues [6].
* Corresponding author at: School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas,
Rua Gonçalves Chaves 457, 96015-560 Pelotas-RS, Brazil.
Tel.: +55 53 3225 6741; fax: +55 53 3225 6741.
E-mail address: moraesrr@gmail.com (R.R. Moraes).
reduction in light polymerization irradiance occurs as a result of
the attenuation promoted by the tooth structure and the post
itself [7–9]. In situations of attenuated light, dual-cure resin
cements have been shown to be more dependent on the self-cure
mechanism [8,10–12]. It has been reported that the curing
efficiency of SARCs is lower compared with conventional resin
cements, especially in the self-cure mode [13]. This effect may
be critical when luting fiber posts, as the cement in the most
apical area of the root canal relies mostly on the self-
polymerization rather than on the physical cure [14].
A method used in an endeavor to improve the polymeriza-
tion efficiency of resin cements into root canals is the use of the
light-transmitting, translucent fiber posts. Previous studies have
reported that translucent posts may increase the depth of
cement cure [7,8,15], but the combined use of translucent posts
and SARCs has been seldom investigated. The aim of this study

1883-1958/$ – see front matter # 2012 Japan Prosthodontic Society. Published by Elsevier Ireland. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpor.2012.05.003
 C.F. Reginato et al. / Journal of Prosthodontic Research 57 (2013) 20–23
was to evaluate the polymerization efficiency through
translucent and opaque posts and the bond strength of a SARC
used to lute the posts to root dentin. The hypotheses tested were
that (i) the polymerization efficiency through the translucent
post would be greater than through the opaque post and that (ii)
higher bond strengths would be observed for the translucent
compared with the opaque post.
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Preparation of specimens
Sixteen bovine incisors with no curves and similar root
diameter were selected. The crowns were removed to obtain a
remaining 17-mm-height root, and the apices were sealed with
a photoactivated resin composite. For the endodontic treatment,
Gates-Glidden drills #4 (Dentsply Maillefer; Ballaigues,
Switzerland) were used. Translucent and opaque fiber glass-
reinforced epoxy posts (Exacto; Angelus, Londrina, PR, Brazil)
were tested (n = 8 per post type). The posts were identical in
shape (tapered conical), length (15 mm) and diameter (3 mm),
except for their translucency/opacity. A 15-mm-depth post
space was prepared in the root canals with pre-shaping Exacto
drills #3 (Angelus). The pre-shaping procedure allowed
standard positioning and well fitting of the posts into the spaces.
The fiber posts were used as-received, following the
manufacturer directions. A layer of silane coupling agent
(Angelus) was applied in the surfaces and air-dried for 30 s. The
dual-cure resin cement RelyX Unicem Clicker (3M ESPE, St.
Paul, MN, USA) was used for cementation. A SARC was used
because it simplifies the adhesive cementation of posts; this type
of cement is increasingly being use for that purpose. The resin
cement was mixed for 10 s and applied into the root canals using
a Centrix syringe (DFL, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil). The posts
were cemented applying digital pressure for 30 s, according to
the cement manufacturer’s instructions. Excess luting material
was removed and photoactivation was performed through the
upper portion of the post for 40 s using a quartz–tungsten–
halogen unit (XL3000; 3M ESPE) with 500 mW/cm2 irradiance.
Black cardboard was used to cover the cervical portion of the root
and restrict the curing light transmission only through the post.
The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 8C, for 24 h.
2.2. Push-out test and failure analysis
After storage, the specimens were sectioned traversal to the
long axis of the teeth. Six 1.5-mm-thick slabs were obtained per
root and identified as cervical, medium or apical specimens,
two for each root third, as shown in Fig. 1A. Each slab was
positioned on a push-out jig placed on a mechanical testing
machine (DL500; EMIC, São José dos Pinhais, PR, Brazil). A
compressive load was applied using a cylinder-shaped plunger
touching the post only, at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min
until the post was dislodged. Bond strength data were recorded
in MPa. The bond strengths of the two slabs tested for each root
third were averaged. Data were submitted to two-way ANOVA
(post type vs. root third). All pairwise multiple comparison
21
Fig. 1. (A) Six 1.5-mm-thick slabs were obtained for each root and divided into
root thirds (2 slabs for each third); (B) representative picture of an adhesive
mode of failure (all cement is attached to the post surface, as shown by the white
arrows); (C) representative picture of a mixed mode of failure (remnants of
cement are left on the intraradicular dentin, as indicated by the black arrows).
procedures were performed using the Fisher’s LSD method
(P < 0.05). After the test, the fractured specimens were
observed with a stereomicroscope under a 40 magnification.
Failure modes were classified as adhesive failure (intraradicular
dentin free of resin cement, Fig. 1B), or mixed failure (remnants
of cement in the intraradicular dentin, Fig. 1C).
2.3. Polymerization efficiency through the posts
In order to investigate the photopolymerization efficiency
through the posts, an elastomer mold with the shape of a bovine
incisor root with no curves (height 16 mm, cervical diameter
7 mm, medial diameter 4 mm, apical diameter 2 mm) was
obtained. Opaque and translucent fiber posts (n = 5) were
silanated as described. The posts were weighed in an analytical
digital balance (AUW220D; Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan) accurate
to 0.01 mg to record their initial mass. The elastomer mold was
filled with a flowable photoactivated resin composite (Natural
Flow; DFL) and the post inserted into the mold. A
photoactivated composite was used in this test to create a
worst-case curing scenario (no self-cure mechanism) and
estimate the polymerization efficiency by light transmission
through the posts only. An elastomer stop was used to ensure
correct positioning of the post in the center of the mold and
restrict the curing light transmission only through the post.
Photoactivation was performed as described. The specimens
were extracted from the mold and the unpolymerized material
(if any) was scraped with a spatula and gauze. The specimens
were weighed again whereby the final mass was recorded.
Polymerization efficiency was estimated by percentage of mass
gain after polymerization of the composite. Mass gain data
were submitted to a t-test (P < 0.05).
22 C.F. Reginato et al. / Journal of Prosthodontic Research 57 (2013) 20–23

Table 1
Means (standard deviations) for push-out bond strength, MPa.
Root third Post type
Opaque Translucent
B,a
Cervical 2.69 (0.9) 3.78 (0.8)A,a
Middle 1.82 (0.8)B,b 2.63 (0.5)A,b
Apical 1.71 (0.7)B,b 2.89 (0.6)A,b
Distinct capital letters in a same line indicate differences between post types;
distinct lowercase letters in a same column indicate differences for root third
(a = 5%).

Table 2
Results for mass gain (%), n = 5. Fig. 2. Distribution of failure modes. A predominance of adhesive failures was
Post type Mean Standard deviation P-value * detected for all groups. Mixed failures were more frequent for the opaque post.

Opaque 201 22 <0.001

Translucent 408 27
*
t-test, a = 5%.

3. Results

Results for push-out bond strength test are shown in Table 1.

The factors ‘post type’ and ‘root third’ were both significant
(P < 0.001), whereas the interaction between the two factors
was not significant (P = 0.749). Irrespective of the root third,
the bond strength of the translucent fiber post to root dentin was
significantly higher compared with the opaque fiber post
(P  0.034). For both post types the bond strength at the
cervical third was significantly higher than at the middle and
apical areas (P  0.022), which showed similar bond strengths
(P  0.47). Fig. 2 shows the failure analysis results. A
predominance of adhesive failures was detected for both post
types and all root thirds. Mixed failures were, however, more
frequently observed for the opaque post.
Results for mass gain after polymerization through the posts
are shown in Table 2. The statistical analysis showed a
significant difference between the post types (P < 0.001).
Representative images of the fiber posts after the polymeriza-
tion efficiency test are shown in Fig. 3. A noticeable difference
between the posts was observed: almost all the material
polymerized and bonded to the entire extension (all thirds) of
the translucent fiber post, whereas polymerization of the
composite was restricted to the cervical area of the opaque post.
4. Discussion
The polymerization efficiency through the translucent fiber
post was greater compared with opaque post, indicating that the
curing light was more effectively transmitted through the
translucent material. Therefore, the first hypothesis tested is
accepted. Translucent posts rely on the presence of luminescent
agents and have less opacifiers than opaque posts for better light
transmission. As the curing light is irradiated, scattering,
reflection, and absorption effects are more pronounced for
opaque posts, resulting in poorer polymerization of the resin
cement into the root canal [8,14], especially in the most apical
areas.
Fig. 3. Visual aspect of the fiber posts after the polymerization efficiency test
(left: opaque post; right: translucent post). Almost all the material polymerized
and bonded to the extension of the translucent post, whereas polymerization of
the composite was restricted to the cervical area of the opaque post.
Although the polymerization efficiency test was con-
ducted using a photoactivated composite to create a worst-
case curing scenario, the greater photopolymerization
efficiency may explain the higher bond strength of the
SARC when the translucent post was used, irrespective of the
root third. The second hypothesis was, therefore, also
accepted. It has been shown that both the irradiance level
used for light irradiation [16] and the degree of conversion of
the polymer [17] may significantly influence its bond
strength to tooth structures. Although SARCs are dual-
cured, it is known that they are extremely dependent on the
light cure mechanism [13]. It can be also speculated that the
intervenient post may interfere with the wavelength proper-
ties of the electromagnetic spectrum being transmitted
through it [13,18] and, therefore, with the degree of
conversion and mechanical properties of the resin cement.
This effect, however, needs to be addressed.
Irrespective of the post type, higher push-out bond strengths
were obtained to the cervical third compared with the middle
and apical thirds. This is likely a result of the lower light
 C.F. Reginato et al. / Journal of Prosthodontic Research 57 (2013) 20–23
transmission toward the apical direction, explained by the light
scattering, reflection, and absorption effects promoted by the
post itself and dental structure. One could expect, however,
higher bond strength at the middle third, as it receives more
light energy than the apical area. The similar results observed
for the middle and apical thirds might be related to the fact that
in the most apical areas, the friction of the post to the root walls
can be increased due to the lower diameter of the root. It has
been shown that fiber post retention is sometimes derived more
from sliding friction of the post/cement assembly than from
true adhesion of the cement to the root canal [19].
The finding that mixed failures were more frequently
observed for the opaque post is in contrast with the association
of higher bond strength values and mixed failures that has been
described for dentin bonds [20]. The occurrence of more mixed
failures in the opaque group is explained by the lower
conversion of the resin cement caused by the post opacity. As
shown in Fig. 1C, failures were considered mixed when the
intraradicular dentin had remnants of resin cement attached to it
after the post had been dislodged. The failure within the resin
cement, which is left on the dentin, probably results from the
lower light energy reaching the cement layer, causing reduced
conversion of C C and, as a consequence, having detrimental
effects on the polymer strength.
Under clinical conditions, optimal adhesion between a well-
polymerized luting agent and the post surface is crucial for the
retention of the post into the root canal. It has been shown that
SARCs have lower extent of C C conversion and slower rate of
polymerization than conventional dual-cure resin cements, in
either the dual and self-curing modes [13]. Therefore, taking
into account the results of the present study, the use of light
transmitting posts should be preferable when luting the posts
using SARCs. The present study focused on the differences
between the translucent and opaque fiber posts. Other
translucent posts and other SARCs should be tested in further
studies, as the combination post system/resin cement may
influence the bond strengths [21], and as the variability in
diameter and fiber orientation [22] may affect the light
transmission along the post.
5. Conclusion
Polymerization efficiency through the translucent fiber post
was greater compared with the opaque post. The use of
translucent fiber post may have a positive influence on the bond
strength of resin cements to intraradicular dentin.
Conflicts of interest statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest associated with
the manuscript.
Acknowledgments
Authors thank Angelus for donating the silane coupling
agent and glass fiber post systems used in the study.
23
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