Endodontic fiber post: proposal of design for enhanced transmission and scattering of light in the apical third

Endodontic posts are commonly used to provide mechanical reinforcement to structurally compromised teeth following endodontic treatment. These posts are securely retained within the root canal using photocurable resins and cement. As a result, it is essential that light reaches the resin layer surrounding the entire surface of the post to ensure adequate polymerization. However, light transmitted through conventional glass fiber posts undergoes significant attenuation in the light scattering intensity, with intensity decreasing exponentially along the length of the post. Typically, less than 7% of the light entering the coronal end reaches the apical tip. This reduction in light intensity may lead to incomplete polymerization of the resin in the 1/3 apical region, potentially compromising the post’s mechanical performance and treatment of teeth. In this study, we present a novel endodontic post design that can promote a very high intensity light scattered distribution through the fiber post surface. The key feature of this design is a central core fiber with an increased diameter and with mechanical marks, which enhance light transmission toward the apical third and improve the light scattering by the fiber posts.