Gary M. Radz, DDS, Denver, Colorado
It is common practice that an endodontically treated tooth with significant loss of tooth structure is first to be restored with a post and core before preparation and placement of the final crown. The post and core serve to provide the restoration of the missing tooth structure to help enhance the final strength of the tooth as well as to provide a more ideal resistance and retention form for the final crown. The post traditionally has been thought of as providing retention for the final core material. However, in this era of adhesive dentistry a post can in fact be bonded to the root structure and provide an adhesive benefit to the core and the final crown.