Quick Post and Core Technique to Save Time

In this tip of the month, Dr. Bob Margeas uses COSMECORE™ for a core and post buildup to replace an old crown that fell out of an octogenarian patient. The existing build-up had deteriorated, leaving minimal tooth structure intact. Dr. Margeas aptly terms this challenging scenario as “hero-adonics.”

In contemplating the treatment approach, Dr. Margeas considers the age of the patient. For a younger individual, the decision to salvage the compromised tooth might not be as straightforward. However, he believes that if he can get a good core and post in the tooth, along with a well-established ferrule, the potential for long-term success can be substantial.

Dr. Margeas opts against subjecting the patient to the complexities of crown lengthening. He emphasized that while there might be some minimal impingement on the biological width of the post, it wouldn’t be substantial enough to warrant such an invasive procedure as crown lengthening.

Dr. Margeas proceeds to clean out the decay and remove the compromised tissue. Typically, in similar cases, Dr. Margeas would follow this protocol – bonding the post in, re-etching, and reapplying adhesive. In this case, Dr. Margeas etches the tooth, applies adhesive into the canal, and uses COSMECORE for the resin cement.

He emphasizes selecting an adhesive with less acidity, typically favoring fourth-generation adhesives like All-Bond, Scotchbond Multipurpose, or OptiBond FL. Dr. Margeas uses Cosmedent Complete Adhesive with the Complete Dual-cure Catalyst added in this case. It acts as a dual-cure adhesive, even in the absence of direct light exposure.

Dr. Margeas directly injects COSMECORE into the canal space and places a titanium post. A fiber post could also be used. He then injects COSMECORE around the post, stacking the non-slumping material. COSMECORE can be light-cured up to 7 mm.

In preparation for the crown, Dr. Margeas has limited ferrule on the facial aspect. He decides to create an impression to capture the margin and sends that to the lab. Having nothing to go by, he free-hands a posterior crown using MirrorImage. The patient leaves the office and will return in a couple of weeks to have the crown seated.

About the AuthorDr. Bob Margeas

Dr. Bob Margeas received his D.D.S. from the University of Iowa, College of Dentistry in 1986 and completed an A.E.G.D. residency in 1987. He is currently an adjunct professor in the Department of Operative Dentistry at the University of Iowa. Dr. Margeas is board certified by the American Board of Operative Dentistry and is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. He lectures on esthetic dentistry and has published numerous articles on the subject. Dr. Margeas maintains a private practice with a focus on comprehensive esthetic restorative dentistry in Des Moines, Iowa.