Table 1.

Detailed Description of Clinical Procedures Followed in Endodontic Treatment and Post Space Preparation

Endodontic Treatment
- Endodontic treatment was performed under rubber dam isolation. - Canal instrumentation with K-files (#8-10-15, Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and Flexmaster rotary instruments (#15-20-25-30-35-40; VDW, Munich, Germany) mounted on the endodontic motor (Endo IT professional, Aseptico Inc., Woodinville, WA, USA) to a working length of 0.5 mm from the apex. - Irrigation with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite with a long 27-gauge needle at each change of instrument. - Final rinse with deionized water and patency of the canal maintained with a #10 K-file. - Drying the canals with multiple paper points. - Obturation with gutta-percha by the continuous wave technique up to 4 to 5 mm from the apex with a System B heat source (SybronEndo, Orange, CA, USA); root canal sealer was AH26 (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). - Backfilling of the canals with thermoplastic gutta-percha from Obtura II Unit (Obtura Corp., Fenton, MO, USA). - Sealing the canal access with glass-ionomer cement (Fuji IX, GC Corp., Tokyo, Japan).
Post Space Preparation
- Removing the temporary coronal seal at least 24 hr after endodontic treatment. - Preparation of post spaces 7 to 8 mm in depth with pre-calibrated drills provided by the manufacturer (GC Corp.); at least 4 mm of intact apical seal left. - Cleaning the post space with water by means of a long 27-gauge needle. - Choosing post size for best fit of the diameter of the canal (diameter of the post, 1.2 mm, 1.4 mm, or 1.6 mm). - Checking the post fit and shortening with a diamond bur to an adequate length. - Pre-treating the post with a silane coupling agent (GC Ceramic Primer, GC Corp.).