Fiber posts are frequently used in endodontics for extensive coronal substance defects when the crown is no longer sufficiently supported, particularly prior to restoration with an indirect restoration. The influence of these fiber posts in endodontics on clinical success and their survival rate was investigated by Alenezi et.al. in their recently published meta-analysis [1]. In this research, 17 different clinical studies with 7,330 endodontically treated teeth in 7,278 patients were analyzed. The results showed a significantly higher survival rate for teeth restored with posts. The authors concluded that post placement can improve the clinical performance and survival probability of endodontically treated teeth.
RTD
(Recherches Techniques Dentaires, a Dentsply Sirona company based in France) is an innovator in fiber posts field. Founded in 1968, RTD was one of the very first companies worldwide to invent and patent a fiber post. RTD has continued to innovate fiber posts ever since. Other fiber posts in the market can have an uneven distribution of fibers or even air bubbles trapped in the resin; RTD has optimized their products for fiber posts in endodontics to eliminate those potential weak spots for the post and thus for the coronal restoration (Fig. 1).
Competitor product with uneven fiber distribution and air bubbles.
RTD DT Light Post
The DT Light Post with its typical double taper is RTD’s most well-known product. Its shape contributes to a better stress distribution compared to single taper or parallel posts and follows the natural geometry of the root canal, requiring less dentin removal, especially in the apical third where unnecessary dentin removal can increase the risk of fracture in fiber posts endodontics.
[1] ALENEZI, Ali A., et al. Clinical behavior and survival of endodontically treated teeth with or without post placement: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Oral Science, 2024, S. 24-0098.
RTD post with homogeneous distribution of fibers and no air bubbles.