Comparative Evaluation of Retention of Fiber Posts in Different Dentin Regions Using Various Bonding Techniques: An In Vitro Study

Aim This study aims to evaluate the retention of fiber posts in the coronal, middle, and apical dentin regions with various bonding techniques by using fifth, sixth, and eighth-generation bonding agents and self-etch adhesive cement. Materials and methods For this study, 96 freshly extracted human incisors with straight roots were selected. Endodontic treatment of the specimens was performed. The post spaces were created immediately after obturation and the posts were luted with three different bonding agents and self-adhesive resin cement and the specimens were divided into four groups. Approximately 3 mm thick sections were made from different dentin regions of the post space and were tested for three subgroups: Subgroup I: Coronal, Subgroup II: Middle, Subgroup III: Apical. The specimens were tested on a universal testing machine. Results Statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test using SPSS software version 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago ). The intra-group comparison showed that the bond strength was more in the fifth-generation bonding agent (Cervical- 8.2574± 1.49034, Middle- 11.4800± 2.59938, Apical- 14.7108±1.82931), followed by the sixth (Cervical- 9.102± 2.76119, Middle-9.3152±2.11585, Apical- 12.9478±4.69404) and eighth-generation bonding systems (Cervical- 9.0938±2.77537, Middle- 7.1585±1.97601, Apical- 9.3726±0.73720) and the self-etch adhesive dental resin cement (Cervical- 5.1004±2.17389, Middle- 4.1574±1.28664, Apical-7.8884±1.90078). The inter-group comparison showed that the bond strength was higher in the fifth-generation bonding agent followed by sixth-generation, eighth-generation, and self-adhesive resin cement. Conclusion The present study reveals that the highest push-out bond strengths were obtained in apical sections followed by the middle and cervical areas. The bond strength was higher when using the fifth-generation bonding agent followed by the sixth, eighth, and self-adhesive resin cement. Despite many advancements, the fifth-generation bonding agent still showed superior retention in different dentin regions among various other bonding techniques.