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  An Exclusive Review is an editors' evaluation. This product has been evaluated by editors of THE DENTAL ADVISOR.
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  The award of Editors' Choice signifies the most unique and significant product in the issue. The editors review each product and clinical evaluation article scheduled for an issue and then select the issue's Editors' Choice.
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  Preferred Products are selected by Dr. John Farah and the staff of THE DENTAL ADVISOR. These products are featured each year in the January-February issue of THE DENTAL ADVISOR.

3M ESPE RelyX Fiber Post

++++1/2

Editors' evaluation

Editors' Comments

• "This is an all inclusive system - no special treatment of the tooth is required before placement.”
• "Posts trim neatly - they do not shred.”
• "The Aplicap Elongation Tips and inclusion of 3M ESPE RelyX Unicem in the kit are great.”
• "The light-transmitting feature of the post speeds up the cementation process.”
• "The cement is more radiopaque than the post.”
• "A smaller diameter post would be useful for narrow canals such as lower incisors.”
• "The head of the post could be larger.”

Description

3M ESPE RelyX Fiber Post is a glass fiber-reinforced composite post. The translucent post allows transmission of light from a light-curing unit along the length of the post during cementation. The posts are available in three diameters and are color coded to match the reamers. A universal reamer is included to initiate the post space preparation. The kit includes 3M ESPE RelyX Unicem Universal Resin Cement with a new Aplicap Elongation Tip. The tip is 20-mm long with a narrow diameter to allow delivery of the cement to the apical end of the post preparation. The introductory kit contains five posts of each diameter with one corresponding drill, 3M ESPE RelyX Unicem cement, and accessories. Seventeen editors used 3M ESPE RelyX Fiber Post in restoring 108 endodontically treated teeth. This product received a 95% clinical rating.

Suggested Retail Cost

• $239.00/introductory kit
• $309.00/introductory kit PLUS RelyX Unicem Cement Trial Kit

Editors' Observations

Manufacturer’s Instructions
The written instructions and diagrams are clear and facilitate the post-placement procedure.

Packaging/Ease of Use
The introductory kit is neatly organized in an easy-to-use, compartmentalized plastic box. The posts are individually wrapped in foil packs to reduce cross contamination.

Usefulness of Elongation Tips
The 3M ESPE RelyX Unicem capsules, along with the Aplicap Elongation Tips, facilitate cementation of the post and reduce the number of steps for the procedure.

Effectiveness of Drills
The reamers are effective for post space preparation, but some vibration during use was reported.

Post Size Selection
The three available sizes are adequate for most clinical situations, but additional diameters would make the system more versatile.

Post Design
The tapered design of the posts matches the anatomical shape of root canals. The head of the post is a continuation of the post without a change in shape. Some editors would have preferred less taper at the head portion of the post. A change in shape for the head of the post would improve retention of the core material.

Ease of Adjusting Post Length
The post can be adjusted to length by cutting it with disks or diamonds. Cutting the post to the proper length can be done easily after the post is cemented and the core build-up is completed.

Full Seating During Cementation
The posts seat completely with minimal pressure. As the cement sets quickly, it is important to work efficiently and quickly to seat the post.

Adaptation/Retention of Core Material
Composite core material adapts well to the tapered smooth head of the post. Retention of the core is from adhesion to the post and available tooth structure.

Radiopacity
The posts have low levels of radiopacity and are difficult to see on a radiograph. The lack of radiopacity of the posts is the primary negative feature of the system and makes it difficult to determine the fit of the cemented post to the prepared canal.

Fit of Post to Canal
The fit of the posts to the canals is difficult to determine because of the lack of radiopacity of the posts. In general, when the radiographs are inspected carefully, it appears that the posts adapt well to the canals.

Effectiveness of Light Transmission
After light transmission, posts were well retained in the canal indicating that the cement had set.

Ease of Applying Cement and Cementation of the Post
The delivery of the cement into the canal is simplified by the Aplicap Elongation Tips that attach to the 3M ESPE RelyX Unicem capsule. The entire cementation procedure can be quickly accomplished because no tooth conditioning is required.

Ease of Removal
No posts were removed during the evaluation period.

Editors' Note: If using standard 3M ESPE RelyX Unicem capsules (not provided in the post kit) make sure the Aplicap Elongation Tip snaps onto the capsule. Before one year ago, 3M ESPE RelyX Unicem capsules were not designed to accommodate the Aplicap Elongation Tip.