Radiographic Analysis of Posts Performed by Undergraduate Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Post and core restorations for endodontically treated teeth must meet certain prosthetic criteria to ensure the success of the final restoration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of posts performed by dental students at King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital (KAUDH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, utilizing periapical radiographs and whether the prosthetic criteria were strictly met by students. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 661 digital periapical radiographs of posts performed by 6th-year dental students from September 2018 to April 2019. The assessment included the following factors: patient's age, patient's gender, tooth type, and arch. Post-related factors including post type, shape, diameter, length, and status of the remaining gutta percha were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics were generated, and the association between different variables was determined using chi-square test at p<0.05. Results: Posts were used to restore maxillary teeth (67%), and were particularly placed in premolars (44%). The majority of used posts were prefabricated tapered fiber posts (90%). The results were as follows: post diameter equal to one-third of root diameter, 50% met criterion; post length equal to two-thirds of root length, 33%; post length equal to or more than crown height, 93%; absence of space between gutta percha (GP) and post, 74%; and length of the remaining GP equal to 3-5 mm, 68%. Overall, 11% of the posts met all the ideal prosthetics criteria. Conclusion: Most qualities of post and core restorations that were radiographically assessed were found to be acceptable and within the recommended prosthodontic criteria.