Patterns of bone loss around teeth restored with endodontic posts

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study described the pattern of bone loss around teeth with endodontic posts in periodontitis patients, and compared it with contra-lateral teeth without posts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From full-mouth radiographic surveys of 146 periodontitis patients (> or =35 years), 194 roots with endodontic posts and contra-laterals without posts were selected. Upper molars, pre-molars with two posts and roots of lower molars with two posts were excluded. Technical parameters of the post space preparation, endodontic and restorative status were evaluated. The level of alveolar bone measured in millimetre from the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ)/restoration margin and the pattern of bone loss (angular/horizontal) were evaluated on both mesial and distal aspects of roots with posts and contra-laterals, but not on the furcal areas of lower molars. RESULTS: The distance from the bone level to the CEJ/restoration margin was similar for teeth with posts and contra-laterals. However, teeth with posts had more angular defects mesially (18.8%versus 7.3%) as compared with their contra-laterals without posts. The defects around teeth with posts appeared to be typical in the sense that their apical level approximated the tip of the endodontic post. CONCLUSION: In periodontitis patients, teeth restored by an endodontic post had angular bony defects on the mesial aspect more frequently in comparison with their contra-laterals.