Longevity of composite build-ups without posts—10-year results of a practice-based study
        
                        
                    
                    Abstract
Aim
The
 aim of this prospective, non-interventional, multi-center, 
practice-based study was, firstly, to evaluate the longevity of 
composite build-ups in endodontically treated teeth (ETT) without post 
placement and, secondly, to analyze factors influencing the success of 
these composite build-ups.
Methodology
Each
 of seven general dental practitioners placed up to 50 composite 
build-ups without additional posts in ETT. Teeth were restricted to 
incisors, canines, and premolars. Several clinical data were recorded 
for 192 coronal restorations on ETT in 192 patients. Cox proportional 
hazard models were applied to analyze associations between clinical 
factors and time until failure.
Results
Within
 a follow-up period of 10 years, 167 restorations were judged as 
successful [mean success time, 110 (105–115) months] and 180 teeth 
survived [mean survival time, 114 (110–119) months]. The main failure 
type was fracture of the restoration (n = 15).
 The annual failure rate was 2.4%. In bivariate Cox regression, both 
factors such as number of restored tooth surfaces and adhesive were 
significantly associated with the failure rate. In multivariate Cox 
proportional hazards regression, none of the investigated factors were 
significantly associated with the failure rate.
Conclusion
For
 composite build-ups in ETT without post placement, high success rates 
could be found after up to 10 years of observation time. Within the 
limitations of the present study, none of the analyzed factors such as 
“tooth type” or “number of restored tooth surfaces” was a significant 
predictor for the failure rate.
Clinical relevance
Endodontically
 treated teeth can be successfully directly restored with composite 
build-ups even when no additional post is inserted.
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