We know that the strength and resistance to root fracture of an endodontically treated tooth is directly related to the amount of residual radicular dentine. The post diameter thus needs to be controlled in order to preserve radicular dentine, reduce the potential for perforations and permit the tooth to resist fracture. However, endodontic treatment often leads to wide, flared canals as the clinician sets out to clean and shape the root. Adapting the post to the anatomy of the endodontically treated tooth not only preserves precious radicular dentine, it also allows for oval and/or curved roots. 

The introduction of the everStick® fibre post system by Sticktech Ltd. from Finland now enables the clinician to construct a custom made fibre post according to the anatomy of the post space. This is done directly in the mouth prior to cementation of the post. Due to the flexural strength of the everStick fibres (1350 MPa) and the mode of elasticity being very close to that of human bone and dentine, it is now possible to provide the patient with a post that will not fracture the root, as is often occurs when stainless steel or titanium metal posts are used.

The method is easy and quick: The root filling (gutta percha) is removed with a Gates Glidden drill, following the "red eye". Virtually no radicular dentine is removed, but the clinician must ensure that all the old cement is removed, especially if the gutta percha was cemented with a cement containing eugenol as the post will be bonded into the root with a resin cement.

The post is then measured, cut and placed into the post space. In the case of widely-flared and oval canals a secondary post can be placed and laterally condensed, utilizing the whole post space. The coronal part of the post is now light-cured with a curing light for 15 seconds. The apical part will stay soft as the all the light will not travel down the root. The semi-cured post is now carefully removed and cured outside the mouth for a further 30 seconds. The post is then tried and the fit checked.

If the fit and the seating of the post is satisfactory, preparation for bonding the post to the radicular dentine can now take place. The first step is to create micro cavities in the post so that the inter-penetrating bonding network can be achieved. The post is coated with Stick® Resin and protected from light for two to four minutes.