OBJECTIVETo evaluate the survival rate and complications of endodontically treated residual crowns and roots restored directly or by glass fiber post and core or cast metal post and core.

METHODSIn this study, 96 patients with a total of 142 teeth were selected. All the teeth were undergone root canal therapy. And then, according to different situations, some of them were restored with glass fiber post and core, another with cast metal post and core, the rest were restored directly in the strict controlled indications.

RESULTSThe teeth (135) in 89 patients were divided into three groups. The first group contained 73 (54.1%) teeth restored with glass fiber post and composite resin core. The survival rate reached 97.3% in the average observation period of (5.7 +/- 1.9) years. The second group contained 40 teeth, restored with pure titanium casting post and core. The survival rate reached 87.5% in the average observation period of (6.2 +/- 2.2) years. The last group contained 22 teeth received no treatment. The survival rate reached 90.9% in the average observation period of (5.4 +/- 1.8) years. The success rate had no significant difference among the three groups. The most common complications after restored included root fracture (6.7%), retention loss (2.2%), secondary caries (1.5%) and periapical periodontitis (0.7%).

CONCLUSIONUnder the premise of high quality root canal treatment and standard restoration treatment, the abutment teeth, whether are restored by glass fiber post and core, cast metal post and core or without post, have a higher survival rate over 5 years of observation period and complications especially root fracture still should attract the necessary attention.