Association between the Number of Walls Present and Teeth Restored with Prefabricated Metal Posts in Mandibular Molars - A Retrospective Analysis

A post and core crown is a type of dental restoration required where there is an inadequate amount of sound tooth tissue remaining to retain a conventional crown. A post is cemented into a prepared root canal, which retains a core restoration, which retains the final crown. Aim of the study is to assess the number of prefabricated metal posts placed in mandibular molars with two or more walls present. A Retrospective study was conducted using the records of the patients. Overall, 283 case sheets were reviewed which were dated between june 2019 to march 2020. The data was collected by the patient records of Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals. Data was recorded in Microsoft excel and later exported to IBM SPSS (version 20.0 Chicago USA) and subjected to Statistical analysis Data consisted of all the patients who underwent restorative procedure and opted for post and core with a total of 285 patients were analysed. Association between the number of walls present and the gender of the patient revealed that male patients with two walls present had the highest number of prefabricated metal post (29.72%) and the least being in the patients having 4 walls with 1.75% among males(Pearson's chi square test value-125.7, p<0.005), statistically significant. More numbers of prefabricated metal posts were diagnosed in the age group of 51-70years with 2walls (18.86%), 3 walls (15.73%) and 4 walls(1.75%), however it was statistically significant. (Pearson Chi square Test :125.7, P<0.05). Most frequent anatomical site in which prefabricated metal post was seen in 36 with 2walls (16.43%) and 3 walls (15.73%) followed by 46 with 2 walls (15.73%), 3 walls (11.89%) and 4 walls (4.55%).The least number of prefabricated metal post with 2walls(9.79%), 3 walls (5.59%) and 4 walls(1.05%) was 47. Based on Chi square test, it was statistically significant (Pearson Chi square Test :17.25, P<0.05). Within the limitations of the study, it can be concluded that prefabricated metal posts are the most preferred posts in posterior teeth, due to its rigidity and strength greater than dentin.