A comparison of fracture loads in the in vitro studies revealed no significant difference between cast and direct posts and cores .
Meta- analysis of the data suggested that there is no difference in fracture behavior associated with the 2 treatment modalities .
Direct  post- and -core restorations with prefabricated posts are becoming increasingly popular .
A literature review was conducted to compare the clinical and in vitro performance of cast posts and cores to that of direct cores with prefabricated posts in single-rooted teeth .
An in vitro evaluation of a carbon fiber-based post and core system.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM A self-contained post and core system , Composipost , comprising an epoxy-based carbon fiber post , a composite core material , and a low viscosity Bis-GMA bonding resin , has recently been marketed for the restoration of pulpless teeth . PURPOSE This study compared the in vitro performance and the failure characteristics of the Composipost system against existing post and core combinations . MATERIAL AND METHODS Using extracted human teeth , three post and core test groups and one control group were then tested to failure with an obliquely applied compressive load at 130 degrees in a Hounsfield testing-machine with a crosshead speed of 5 cm/minute . RESULTS The mean stress values at failure ( MNm.2 ) with st and ard deviations for each group were as follows : Composipost system 8.89 , SD 2.40 ; stainless steel post and composite core 14.18 , SD 3.49 ; cast gold alloy post and gold alloy core 15.25 , SD 4.07 ; and endodontically treated tooth only 24.84 SD 4.58 . CONCLUSION The specimens restored with the Composipost system exhibited inferior strength properties in comparison to the other post and core systems tested ( p < 0.01 ) . Teeth without post and core foundations tested significantly stronger than the other comparison groups ( p < 0.01 )
A comparison of fracture loads in the in vitro studies revealed no significant difference between cast and direct posts and cores .
Meta- analysis of the data suggested that there is no difference in fracture behavior associated with the 2 treatment modalities .
Direct  post- and -core restorations with prefabricated posts are becoming increasingly popular .
A literature review was conducted to compare the clinical and in vitro performance of cast posts and cores to that of direct cores with prefabricated posts in single-rooted teeth .