A new all-ceramic post and core system: Clinical, technical, and in vitro results

Root-filled teeth with fractured or discolored coronal aspects invariably n eed to be restored by crowns. The prepared abutment tooth is usually reinfo rced by a metallic post and core system. The grayish discoloration of the r oot, and consequently of the gingiva, caused by the metal color may be an e normous esthetic disadvantage in the anterior teeth. in 1993 ceramic posts made of zirconia were introduced by the authors, allowing a new ail-ceramic concept for nonvital abutment teeth. A new ceramic post and core system ha s now been developed with the idea of further improving esthetic appearance . In this system the core material is heat pressed directly onto the zircon ia post, This article describes the material and the fabrication procedures (chairside and in the laboratory) of the system. Clinical results are pres ented. The retention of the core material is evaluated by in vitro tests.