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ENDODONTICS

FIBER POSTS: A 1990s LEGACY WITH

SUSTAINED SUCCESS IN THE

BIOMIMETIC ERA

Matías Ezequiel Scazzola

INTRODUCTION
For nearly four decades, fiber posts have been an essential component
of the therapeutic arsenal in dentistry, representing a resource of
daily necessity in clinical practice. These devices are included within
the category of fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs), the composites
being the biomaterials with the greatest clinical applicability in
dentistry, especially particulate filled composites (PFCs) [1,2] . A clinical
practitioner cannot overlook them, as their use is indispensable in
contemporary restorations.
RTD was a pioneer in the development of fiber posts, establishing
a widely recognized reference standard. Its quality and trajectory
have consolidated its position as the “Gold Standard” in several
investigations. in its absence, the incorporation of an element that generates
For a long time, restorative dentistry and endodontics remained connection is essential [8,9] .
dissociated, which generated critical failures that compromised the Premolars constitute an intermediate group requiring
preservation of dental structures. Currently, both disciplines tend individualized analysis. Their structural volume is intermediate
to converge in an integrated approach, largely associated with the between anterior and posterior teeth, and their clinical management
development of biomimetic dentistry. Biomimetic dentistry is not an depends on their specific function within the arch, particularly their
independent specialty but rather the reasoned clinical application of relationship with canine guidance.
biological, mechanical, and dental principles aimed at reproducing Several studies, including systematic reviews with recent meta-
the natural behavior of dental structure . analyses, have confirmed that fiber posts provide high survival rates
[3]
Contemporary dentistry is oriented towards minimally invasive in endodontically treated teeth . In this context, current biomimetic
[10]
procedures directed at maximum preservation of dental structure. dentistry promotes ultraconservative philosophies, sometimes
In this context, it is indispensable to understand the mechanical and without the need for posts or crowns, based on:
biological behavior of both the tissues and the biomaterials employed, • The use of materials with behavior similar to that of the dental
integrating concepts that were originally isolated [4,5,6,7] . structure.
At the end of the 1980s, RTD introduced an innovative change, • Maximum preservation of sound tissues.
replacing the cast metal post with a structure whose mechanical • Effective adhesion between substrates.
properties were similar to dentin. This transition marked a turning • Reduction of irreparable catastrophic failures.
point towards biomimetic thinking, evaluating how materials interact It is important to note that many of these principles were already
with functional forces within the root canal. implicit in traditional post-endodontic rehabilitation protocols
with posts. In current clinical practice, both approaches should
CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS not be considered mutually exclusive but rather complementary;
In recent years, the use of posts in the posterior sector has been contemporary biomimetic guidelines can be respected while
debated. Current evidence indicates that, in this region, their main maintaining, when indicated, the use of fiber posts as an integral part
function is to increase the adhesive surface. The posterior occlusal of the restoration.
forces are predominantly axial and posterior teeth present greater The preservation of remaining coronal structure is critical to
volume, it is feasible to perform additive restorations without post ensure predictable adhesion [4,5,6,7,11,12] . Deep interventions within
placement by means of direct, semi-direct, or indirect techniques. the root canal reduce adhesive quality due to factors such as lower
In contrast, in the anterior sector, where dental volume is smaller, tubular density, alteration of the collagen matrix, and limitations in
esthetic demands are higher, and forces are predominantly oblique, light curing [11,12] . These aspects compromise the formation of a true
post placement is usually necessary. If a minimal dental remnant adhesive monoblock.
(ferrule effect) exists, force distribution and connection are favored; The most common failures associated with the use of fiber posts

56 Dental Practice I January-February 2026 I Vol 22 No 1