Clinical Study of FibreReinforced Root Posts with a Ten-Year Observation Period: A Retrospective Study

European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry (2025) 33, 379–389

Cast Post Fibre-Reinforced Root Posts Postendodontic Reconstruction Survival Rate In Situ Root Posts Fibre-Reinforced Composite Resin Post

Clinical Study of FibreReinforced Root Posts with
a Ten-Year Observation
Period: A Retrospective
Study

Ali-Reza Ketabi* §

(Dr. med. dent., MSc)

Maximilian J. Dobbertin ‡ ^
(Dr. med. dent.)

Hans-Christoph Lauer ^
(Prof. Dr. med. dent.)

Laurentia Schuster †
(Dr. med. dent.)

Andree Piwowarczyk *
(Prof. Dr. med. dent.)

Address for Correspondence
Ali-Reza Ketabi* §
Email: Ali-Reza.Ketabi@uni-wh.de
* Department of Prosthodontics, School of
Dentistry, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke
University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 45, 58455
Witten, Germany
§

Private Dental Office of Dr Ali-Reza Ketabi,
Kirchheimerstr. 71, 70619 Stuttgart, Germany

‡

Private Practice Dr. Dobbertin, Eschersheimer
Landstraße 44, 60322 Frankfurt , Germany

^ Department of Prosthodontics, Center for
Dentistry and Oral Medicine (Carolinum),
Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596
Frankfurt, Germany
†

Department of Periodontology and Operative
Dentistry, University of Münster, Waldeyerstraße
30, 48149 Münster, Germany

Received: 12.07.2024
Accepted: 15.07.2025

Purpose: To analyze the survival rates and influential factors of in situ root posts from 2007 to 2017, identifying key parameters affecting their longevity. Methods: The study included all restorations treated at the Department of Prosthodontics, Center for Dentistry and Oral Medicine (Carolinum), Goethe-University, from 2007 to 2017, involving 1120 fibre-reinforced root posts with an 8.0% dropout rate and a significance level of alpha <5%. Results: Patients had a mean age of 61.1±14.37 years. The study found a survival rate of 60.71±14.70 years versus a loss at 64.58±10.45 years (p<0.05). The periodontal condition was the most significant factor affecting survival. Cytec Blanco and DT light post showed similar ten-year survival rates of 79.17% and 79.34%, respectively, without significant differences. Periodontal health was the most critical factor for root post loss. Conclusion: Root post loss is more influenced by patient’s periodontal health and the indication for root canal treatment than by the structural characteristics of the fibre posts. Clinical relevance: This retrospective cohort study addresses the lack of longterm (>10 years) clinical research on fibre-reinforced root posts, focusing on various factors influencing their success or failure.

Root posts are used in dentistry to provide an endodontically treated and extensively damaged tooth with enough retention surface for later restoration. A build-up filling is attached to a root post in the form of a core build-up. This should have the structural advantage of allowing the prosthetic restoration that follows the treatment to be more securely anchored to the tooth.1 In a large-scale study, Ferrari et al. show that teeth with a root post have a significantly higher probability of survival than those without a root post and that fractures of any kind occur less frequently.2 The selection of different materials from which root posts are made ranges from metals and ceramics to fibre-reinforced composite root posts.3,4 Metallic root posts no longer correspond to the lege artis treatment methods, as they show significantly lower survival rates compared to fibre-reinforced root posts.5 A fibre-reinforced root post is a material with an elastic modulus (modulus of elasticity) similar to dentin. If the material behaves in a tissue-compatible manner, the entire composite of tooth, root post and superstructure should

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