Polyetheretherketone split post and core for restoration of multirooted molar with insufficient dental tissue remnants by digital techniques: a case report and 3-year follow up

• Published in: BMC oral health 2024-08, Vol.24 (1), p.904-8, Article 904
• Main Authors: Wang, Xin, Zhong, Sheng, Ma, Dan, Liu, Chen, Liu, Yuchen, Zhao, Yimin, Bai, Shizhu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesives; Adult; Analysis; Benzophenones; Biomechanics; Care and treatment; Case Report; Case reports; Computer-Aided Design; Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing; Dental Prosthesis Design; Dental pulp cavity; Dentistry; Design; Diagnosis; Endodontics; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Foreign investments; Humans; Ketones; Mechanical properties; Methods; Molar - surgery; Morphology; Patients; Polyetheretherketone; Polyethylene Glycols; Polymers; Post and core restoration; Post and Core Technique; Properties; Reverse engineering; Silicones; Software; Split post; Statistics; Stress concentration; Stress management; Survival analysis; Teeth; Tooth fractures; Tooth, Nonvital - surgery
• ISSN: 1472-6831; 1472-6831
• DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04666-z

Multi-rooted teeth with extensive dental defects often face challenges in stability and biomechanical failure. High-performance polymer PEEK materials, with properties closer to dentin, show promise in reducing stress concentration and preserving tooth structure. This report aimed to explore the use of a highly retentive polyetheretherketone (PEEK) for manufacturing custom-made split post and core for the restoration of grossly destroyed endodontically treated molars. A 40-year-old female patient presented with complaints of loss of tooth substance in the posterior mandibular tooth. This case involved the digital design and fabrication of PEEK split post and core to restore multirooted molar with insufficient dental tissue remnants. The restorations were evaluated over a 3-year follow-up using the World Federation criteria (FDI). The restoration was clinically evaluated through intraoral examination, radiographic assessment, and subjective patient satisfaction, and was deemed clinically good according to FDI criteria. The outstanding mechanical properties of PEEK, coupled with the structure of the split post, provide an effective treatment option for weakened multirooted teeth. Simultaneously, the restoration configuration effectively addressed the challenge of varying postinsertion directions, and the interlocking mechanism between the primary and auxiliary posts enhanced the stability of the post and core.