Comparative evaluation of different post materials on stress distribution in endodontically treated teeth: Implications for prosthodontic restorations.

Intra-radicular posts are routinely used in restoring endodontically treated teeth to enhance retention and evenly distribute functional loads. The material of the post plays a critical role in stress transmission within the tooth and supporting structures, directly influencing long-term prognosis. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate stress distribution patterns among different post materials, specifically fiber-reinforced composite, cast metal and stainless steel posts. Fiber posts, due to their modulus of elasticity similar to dentin, showed more favorable stress dispersion and reduced risk of root fracture in biomechanical analyses. Metallic posts exhibited stress concentration at apical and cervical regions, increasing fracture susceptibility. Thus, we show the importance of considering biomechanical compatibility, not just strength and retention, when selecting post materials to improve restoration longevity and overall clinical success.