Post Diameter Research Articles

Midwest Guardrail System with round Timber Posts

A modified Midwest Guardrail System (MGS) was developed by using small-diameter round wood posts. The barrier system was configured with three timber species: Douglas fir (DF), ponderosa pine (PP), and southern yellow pine (SYP). Barrier VII computer simulation, combined with cantilever post testing in a rigid sleeve and soil, was used to determine the required post diameter for each species. The recommended nominal sizes were 184 mm (7.25 in.) for DF, 203 mm (8 in.) for PP, and 190 mm (7.5 in.) for SYP. A grading criterion limiting knot size and ring density was established for each species. The recommended knot sizes were limited to 38 mm (1.5 in.) or smaller for DF, 89 mm (3.5 in.) or smaller for PP, and 64 mm (2.5 in.) or smaller for SYP. The minimum ring densities equaled or exceeded 6 rings per inch (rpi) for DF, 6 rpi for PP, and 4 rpi for SYP. Two guardrail systems–-one using DF posts and another using PP posts–-were crash tested according to the Test Level 3 requirements specified in NCHRP Report 350: Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features. Crash testing was not conducted on the SYP system because of the adequacy of previous testing on 184-mm (7.25-in.) diameter SYP posts in a standard W-beam guardrail system and post design strength comparable to that in the other two species. Both crash tests showed that the modified MGS functioned adequately for both wood species. Three round wood post alternatives were recommended as an acceptable substitute for the standard W152×13.4 (W6×9) steel post used in the MGS.

Effect of EDTA conditioning upon the retention of fibre posts luted with resin cements

To determine if a final rinse with EDTA improves the short-term in-tooth retentive strength of adhesively luted fibre-reinforced composite posts. Six different commercial fibre post systems were tested. Post spaces in extracted human anterior teeth were irrigated with either 6% NaOCl or 6% NaOCl followed by 17% EDTA. Posts were luted using the manufacturer's recommended bonding agent and luting cement. Two different sizes of post were tested for each post system. After 24 h of storage, the retentive strength of the post to the tooth (14 per group, 336 total) was tested using a pull-out technique. Three-way anova and the Student-Newman-Kuels test were used to test the effects of irrigation regimen, post size and post brand on the retentive strength of the fibre post. Almost every sample failed at the interface between dentine and luting cement. Irrigation method did not have any significant effect (P > 0.14) for any group other than ParaPost Fibre White (P < 0.001). The overall retention of a post appeared to be correlated to the amount of surface texture on the post; the smooth ICEPost was the least retentive brand, the textured FibreKor and the ParaPost Fibre White posts were moderately retained, and the threaded Flexi-Post Fibre and the Flexi-Flange Fibre posts were the most retentive brands tested. For all brands, larger diameter posts were more retentive than smaller diameter posts (P < 0.008). A final rinse of EDTA did not improve the short-term retention of fibre posts except for ParaPost Fibre White.

96-Well Polycarbonate-Based Microfluidic Titer Plate for High-Throughput Purification of DNA and RNA

We report a simple and effective method for the high-throughput purification of a variety of nucleic acids (NAs) from whole cell lysates or whole blood using a photactivated polycarbonate solid-phase reversible immobilization (PPC-SPRI) microfluidic chip. High-throughput operation was achieved by placing 96 purification beds, each containing an array of 3800 20 microm diameter posts, on a single 3" x 5" polycarbonate (PC) wafer fabricated by hot embossing. All beds were interconnected through a common microfluidic network that permitted parallel access through the use of a vacuum and syringe pump for delivery of immobilization buffer (IB) and effluent. The PPC-SPRI purification was accomplished by condensation of NAs onto a UV-modified PC surface in the presence of the IB comprised of polyethylene glycol, NaCl, and ethanol with a composition dependent on the length of the NAs to be isolated and the identity of the sample matrix. The performance of the device was validated by quantification of the recovered material following PCR (for DNA) or RT-PCR (for RNA). The extraction bed load capacity of NAs was 206 +/- 93 ng for gDNA and 165 +/- 81 ng for TRNA from Escherichia coli. Plate-to-plate variability was found to be 35 +/- 10%. The purification process was fast (<30 min) and easy to automate, and the low cost of wafer fabrication makes it appropriate for single-use applications.

ファイバーポストの本数・配置・直径の違いがレジン築造体の曲げ強さに及ぼす影響

ファイバーポストの本数・配置・直径の違いがレジン築造体の曲げ強さに及ぼす影響

Three-dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Stress Distribution in Composite Resin Cores with Fiber Posts of Varying Diameters

Using three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D-FEA), stress distributions in the remaining radicular tooth structure were investigated under the condition of varying diameters of fiber post for fiber post-reinforced composite resin cores (fiber post and core) in maxillary central incisors. Four 3D-FEA models were constructed: (1) fiber post (ø1.2, ø1.4, and ø1.6 mm) and composite resin core; and (2) gold-cast post and core. Maximum stresses in the tooth structure for fiber post and core were higher than that for gold-cast post and core. In the former models, stresses in the tooth structure as well as in the composite resin were slightly reduced with increase in fiber post diameter. These results thus suggested that to reduce stress in the remaining radicular tooth with a large coronal defect, it is recommended to accompany a composite resin core with a fiber post of a large diameter.

Effects of chemical surface treatments of quartz and glass fiber posts on the retention of a composite resin

Failure of a fiber post and composite resin core often occurs at the junction between the 2 materials. This failure process requires better characterization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 2 chemical solvents, hydrogen peroxide and methylene chloride, on the shear bond strength of quartz and glass fiber posts to a composite resin. Twenty-four posts (3 +/-0.1 mm in length) were prepared for each quartz (LIGHT-POST (LP)) and glass fiber (Cytec blanco (CB)) post. Posts were horizontally embedded in acrylic resin with half of the post diameter exposed. The exposed surfaces were successively ground with 400-, 800-, and 1200-grit silicon carbide papers, to ensure uniform smoothness. The specimens were divided into 3 subgroups (n=8) representing different surface treatment techniques, including application of silane for 60 seconds (S), etching with hydrogen peroxide for 20 minutes (H), and etching with methylene chloride for 5 seconds (M). Silane-treated specimens served as controls. A dual-polymerized composite resin (Tetric EvoCeram) was placed in a polytetrafluoroethylene mold (30 x 2 mm) positioned upon the post specimens and polymerized for 20 seconds with a light-emitting diode (LED) polymerization unit. The specimens were stored in water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. Shear bond strength values (MPa) of posts and composite resin cores were measured using a universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Data were analyzed by 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Post hoc Tukey intervals for comparison among the 2 post materials and 3 surface treatment techniques were calculated (alpha =.05). The effect of the chemical surface treatments on glass and quartz fiber post surfaces were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). There were significant differences between the shear bond strength for LP and CB (P<.001). For all groups, the application of H showed the highest bond strength values. There was no significant difference between the S and M groups (P>.05). The SEM observations demonstrated that the fiber post surfaces were modified after chemical surface treatment techniques. The surface treatment of quartz and glass fiber posts with hydrogen peroxide significantly enhanced the shear bond strength of the composite resin tested due to its ability to dissolve the epoxy resin matrix used in each post. The lowest bond strength was obtained with M and S groups. Application of methylene chloride to the fiber post surfaces for 5 seconds was not effective in increasing the shear bond strength of the fiber post to composite resin.

Interobserver and Intraobserver Variability of Flow‐Mediated Vasodilatation of the Brachial Artery

Flow-mediated endothelial-dependent vasodilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery is a method capable of detecting endothelial dysfunction. In order to implement this method in future clinical research studies, its reproducibility and precision have to be assessed. The aim of the study is to evaluate the inter- and intraobserver variability of FMD performed in our department. We investigate 40 patients. FMD is measured by two independent observers to test the interobserver variability, and repeated by the first observer to test the intraobserver variability. We compare the baseline and post-ischemic diameter of the brachial artery and the percent dilatation. The correlation coefficients for these comparisons are high (>0.92) with a significance of less than 0.001. The inter- and intraobserver variability is further tested comparing the mean values of the baseline and post ischemic diameter of the brachial artery and the percent dilatation. The absolute values of the mean paired differences and the standard deviations (SDs) of the differences are 0.02850 +/- 0.05942, P = 0.004, 0.01175 +/- 0.08177, P = 0.369 and 0.28375 +/- 1.61561, P = 0.273, respectively for the interobserver variability and 0.00475 +/- 0.04663, P = 0.523, 0.00050 +/- 0.05267, P = 0.952 and 0.15725 +/- 1.19922, P = 0.412, respectively for the intraobserver variability. It can be concluded that the inter- and intraobserver variability for FMD performed in our department is acceptable. FMD can be performed precisely and accurately, with a satisfactory reproducibility and can be safely and reliably implemented in future clinical research studies.

The effect of graduated compression stockings on blood velocity in the deep venous system of the lower limb in the postnatal period

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the UK and is also a major cause of long-term morbidity. Recent UK national guidelines recommend thromboprophylaxis, which includes the use of graduated compression stockings (GCS), for high-risk women to reduce the risk of VTE in both the antenatal and postpartum period. This study of 17 women examined the effects of GCS on the deep venous system in the immediate postpartum period and found a statistically significant reduction in the diameter of the common femoral vein (CFV) (pre- versus post stocking diameter: mean 10.39 mm [SD 2.09] versus mean 9.69 mm [SD 1.99]) and an increase in the rate of blood velocity in the CFV (pre- versus post stocking velocity: mean 10.0 cm/s [SD 2.7] versus 13.9 cm/s [SD 4.2]) 30 minutes after application of thigh length GCS in women 1 or 2 days following a singleton vaginal delivery at term. This confirms reduction in venous stasis in the deep venous system in the immediate postpartum woman by the use of GCS, supporting their use in improving venous function in this context.

Resultados clínicos inmediatos y alejados del implante de stents metálicos no recubiertos: ¿Se justifica un reemplazo total por los stents liberadores de drogas?

Since the introduction of stents in 1994, improved clinical results have boosted the development of coronary angioplasty in Chile. Drug eluting stents, that have a reduced rate of restenosis, are being increasingly used. To assess the acute and long-term results of bare metal stent implantation. Acute and long-term clinical, procedural and angiographic results were assessed in non acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing coronary stent implantation between August 1996 and December 2003. During the study period, 932 patients aged 30 to 87 years (194 women) had at least one stent implanted. Twenty two percent were diabetic, 33% had recent myocardial infarction, 53% unstable angina and 22% stable angina. Angiographic and clinical success were 99.6% and 98.2%, respectively. In hospital death was 0.5%. During a mean follow-up of 19.1 months, all cause mortality was 3.9%, cardiac death 1.9% and survival free of major cardiac ischemic events was 85.3%. Only 6.4% of lesions underwent target vessel revascularization (TVR). Independent predictors of TVR were previous surgery, left anterior descending artery, small post stent minimum luminal diameter. Ostial location, in-stent restenosis, and younger age were non significant predictors. Acute and long-term results of bare metal stents in this population were excellent. An intriguingly low rate of TVR was seen. Selective bare metal stenting should continue in lesions and patients with a low risk of clinical restenosis.

The Effect of Dowel Space on the Bond Strengths of Fiber Posts

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the degree of mismatch between post space and post diameters on the bond strength of a fiber-reinforced resin post. Thirty-two extracted human maxillary central incisors and canines were endodontically treated and assigned to four groups: Group 1--Canal prepared with a D.T. Light Post #1 drill (control); Group 2--Canal prepared with a D.T. Light Post #2 drill; Group 3--Canal prepared with a D.T. Light Post #3 drill; Group 4--Canal prepared with a Gates Glidden #6 drill. A D.T. Light Post size 1 was then luted into the canal using One-Step Adhesive and Post Cement Hi-X. A push-out test was performed on three sections of each root to measure push-out bond strengths. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Bonferroni's test at p < 0.05. Two extra teeth for each group were restored in the same fashion and processed for SEM observation. (in MPa): Group 1: 15.7 +/- 6.9; Group 2: 14.7 +/- 6.5; Group 3: 14.0 +/- 5.0; Group 4: 14.0 +/- 5.1. The variable "post space" resulted in no statistically significant difference in mean bond strengths (p > 0.05). For the variable "root region," the coronal third (17.5 +/- 6.0) resulted in statistically greater mean bond strengths than the apical third (12.3 +/- 6.0) at p < 0.008. The middle third (14.0 +/- 5.3) resulted in no statistically significant different mean bond strengths from the coronal third at p > 0.119 and from the apical third at p > 0.999. Under the SEM, some areas of the canal system still displayed residual gutta-percha, which resulted in debonding of the interface between the resin cement and dentin. Areas with incomplete dentin hybridization were observed in localized areas of all groups. The diameter of the post space did not affect the push-out bond strengths. Bonding at the coronal level of the root canal is more reliable than bonding at the apical level. The presence of residual gutta-percha and the deficient dentin hybridization may result in deficient seal of the resin-dentin interface.

Influence of prefabricated post dimensions on restored maxillary central incisors

The aim of this study was to test the following hypothesis: biomechanical performance (fracture strength and stress distribution) of restored teeth is less sensitive to post diameter and post length when using glass fibre posts than when using stainless steel posts. First, an experimental fracture strength test was performed on 80 extracted human maxillary central incisors. Teeth were decoronated, treated endodontically and restored (40 with glass fibre posts and 40 with stainless steel posts), and the length and diameter of the posts varied uniformly. Failure loads were recorded and results were compared using an ancova analysis. Secondly, the finite element technique was used to develop a model of the restored tooth. The post diameter had a significant effect on the biomechanical performance of teeth restored with stainless steel posts. Lower failure loads were found as post diameter increased. However, the post diameter of those teeth restored with glass fibre posts, and the post length for both post systems under consideration, did not affect the biomechanical performance of restored teeth to a significant degree. The stress distributions predicted by the developed model corroborated these findings, confirmed the assumed hypothesis, and permitted the proposal of the use of glass fibre posts to achieve a restorative technique that is less sensitive to post dimensions, and thus more robust.

Effect of length of the engineered tendon construct on its structure–function relationships in culture

Constructs containing autogenous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seeded in collagen gels have been used by our group to repair rabbit central patellar tendon defect injuries. Although these cell–gel composites exhibit improved repair biomechanics compared to natural healing, they can be difficult to handle at surgery and lack the necessary stiffness to resist peak in vivo forces early thereafter. MSCs are typically suspended in collagen gels around two posts in the base of a well in a specially designed silicone dish. The distance between posts is approximately the length of the tendon wound site. MSCs contract the gel around the posts prior to removal of the construct for implantation at surgery. We hypothesized that in vitro construct alignment and stiffness might be enhanced in the midregion of the longer construct where the end effects of the posts on the bulk material (St. Venant effects) could be minimized. Rabbit MSCs were seeded in purified bovine collagen gel at 0.04 M cells/mg collagen. The cell–gel mixture was pipetted into silicone dishes having two post-to-post lengths (short: 11 mm and long: 51 mm) but equivalent well widths and depths and post diameters. After 14 days of incubation, tensile stiffness and modulus of the constructs were measured using equivalent grip-to-grip lengths. Collagen fiber orientation index or OI (which measures angular dispersion of fibers) was quantified using small angle light scattering (SALS). Long constructs showed significantly lower angular dispersion vs. short constructs (OI of 41.24°±1.57° vs. 48.43°±1.27°, mean±SEM, p<0.001) with significantly higher linear modulus (0.064±0.009 MPa vs. 0.024±0.004 MPa, p = 0.0022 ) and linear stiffness (0.031±0.005 MPa vs. 0.018±0.004 N/mm, mean±SEM, respectively, p = 0.0404 ). We now plan to use principles of functional tissue engineering to determine if repairs containing central regions of longer MSC-collagen constructs improve defect repair biomechanics after implantation at surgery.

Stress distribution in a post‐restored tooth using the three‐dimensional finite element method

Clinicians are opting ever more frequently for restorative materials which have an elastic modulus similar to that of dentin when reconstructing endodontically treated teeth. Metallic posts, which are capable of causing dangerous and non-homogenous stresses in root dentin, are slowly being abandoned. Ideal posts may be those made of various types of fibre (carbon, mineral and glass) and which are adhesively luted into the canal. Among the different methods for evaluating the mechanical behaviour of posts in root canals (progressive loads and photo-elastic technique) the finite element method (FEM) presents many advantages. The aim of this paper is to evaluate, utilizing three-dimensional analysis of the finite elements, what the effect of material rigidity, depth of insertion and post diameter could be on the stress distribution in the different components of the single tooth-post-core reconstruction unit. The results of the FEM analyses, expressed as the distribution of Von Mises stress values, has allowed us to conclude that (i) fibreglass-reinforced composite distributes stress better than titanium alloy or stainless steel; (ii) fibreglass-reinforced composite posts should be inserted as deeply as possible (but maintaining 5-6 mm of gutta-percha apical seal); (iii) fibreglass-reinforced composite post diameter does not affect stress distribution, therefore, as much radicular dentin as possible should be preserved.

Strain relaxation and quantum confinement in InGaN/GaN nanoposts

Nanoposts of 10–40 nm top diameter on an InGaN/GaN quantum well structure werefabricated using electron-beam lithography and inductively coupled plasma reactive ionetching. Significant blue shifts up to 130 meV in the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum wereobserved. The blue-shift range increases with decreasing post diameter. For nanopostswith significant strain relaxation, the PL spectral peak position becomes lesssensitive to carrier screening. On the basis of the temperature-dependent PL andtime-resolved PL measurements and a numerical calculation of the effect of quantumconfinement, we conclude that the optical behaviours of the nanoposts are mainlycontrolled by the combined effect of 3D quantum confinement and strain relaxation.

Stress Analysis of Endodontically Treated Anterior Teeth Restored with Different Types of Post Material

Finite element analysis was performed to evaluate stress distribution in maxillary central incisors treated endodontically and restored with a post and an all-ceramic crown. Tensile stress at tooth root was analyzed using two-dimensional finite element models with different post diameters and lengths. One post length was 1/3 of the root (short), while the other was 2/3 of the root (long); one post diameter was 1/3 of the root (narrow), while the other was 2/3 of the root (wide). The following combinations were used for posts and cores: gold alloy cast post and core, commercial stainless steel post and resin core, and fiber post and resin core. Results showed that the fiber post produced less stress on the root dentin around the post tip than did the metal posts. This finding thus suggested that to reduce the stresses that cause root fracture, a long, thin fiber post should be used.

An Ethnoarchaeological Study of Mobility, Architectural Investment, and Food Sharing among Madagascar's Mikea

Ethnoarchaeology is a field of study that aims to provide the information needed to draw reliable behavioral inferences from archaeological data. In this study, data from four settlement types (permanent villages, forest hamlets, seasonal hamlets, and foraging camps) of a forager–farmer population in southwestern Madagascar are examined from an archaeological perspective. Doing so shows that house size, house post diameter variability, outdoor workspace, trash disposal, and feature diversity jointly sort out settlements of different lengths of occupation. However, the relationship between mobility and material culture is not simply a product of the length of stay; it is also affected by differences in the social environments of settlements of different occupational lengths. Using the behavioral ecology of food sharing, we show that certain architectural changes that ensure privacy are expected to occur as settlements become larger and more permanent. These observations from Madagascar should be applicable to other areas.

The impact of post space preparation with Gates-Glidden drills on residual dentin thickness in distal roots of mandibular molars

Posts frequently are used to retain buildups. The authors examined the effects of post space preparation with Gates-Glidden drills on residual dentin thickness in distal roots of mandibular molars. The authors embedded 26 root-treated mandibular molars in endodontic cubes and sectioned them perpendicularly to their long axis at 1.8-millimeter intervals. They placed Gates-Glidden drills nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6 sequentially to 5 mm short of working length in the distal canals. After using each drill size, the authors measured the dentin thickness from light microscopic images of the tooth slices. The authors analyzed data to detect changes resulting from canal instrumentation. They performed statistical analysis by partitioning the variability in a nested analysis of variance. Strip perforations occurred with a no. 4 Gates-Glidden drill 7.3 percent of the time and more frequently with larger drills. After endodontic treatment alone, the canal wall on the furcal side was less than 1 mm thick 82 percent of the time and less than 0.5 mm thick 17.5 percent of the time. Dentin thickness correlates inversely to post space diameter. A no. 4 Gates-Glidden drill caused strip perforations in 7.3 percent of the canals studied, and therefore the authors recommend that Gates-Glidden drills larger than a no. 3 not be used in these roots. After endodontic treatment, the furcation-side dentin thickness was less than 1 mm in 82 percent of the teeth. Post space preparation in mandibular molars carries significant risk of perforation. Post space in such teeth should be limited to the endodontically prepared canal.

Emission from laterally confined microcavities: an optical mode approach

This paper discusses the results and development of an emission model based on the mode matching method for the description of circular cross-section laterally confined microcavities. General insights into the spectral and angular diffraction properties of the underlying modes of these structures are presented. Following this, the so-called spontaneous emission factors for individual modes are examined as a function of gain tuning, gain linewidth and post diameter and contrasted with an approximate formula. The work highlights two important features, namely the selection of the transverse emission mode and the role of leaky modes and examines their influences on both the spontaneous emission factor and radiation into air.

Fracture resistance and reliability of new zirconia posts

Statement of problem The radicular portion of zirconia endodontic posts often need to be reshaped to achieve a definitive form and may be airborne-particle abraded to improve adhesion during luting. Therefore, the surface of the tetragonal zirconia ceramics may be transformed and damaged, influencing the mechanical properties of the material. Purpose This study compared the fracture resistance of prefabricated zirconia posts with a new retentive post-head after different surface treatments. Material and methods Experimental zirconia posts of 2 different diameters, 1.3 mm and 1.5 mm, were produced from commercially available zirconia powder. A cylindro-conical outline form was used for the root portion of the system and a post-head with 3 retentive rings was designed. Sixty posts of each diameter were divided into 3 groups (n=20). Group 1 was ground with a coarse grit diamond bur; Group 2 was airborne-particle abraded with 110-μm fused alumina particles, and Group 3 was left as-received (controls). Posts were luted into the root-shaped artificial canals with the Clearfil adhesive system and Panavia 21 adhesive resin luting agent. The posts were loaded in a universal testing machine at an inclination of 45 degrees with the constant cross-head speed of 1 mm/min. The fracture load (N) necessary to cause post fracture was recorded, and the statistical significance of differences among groups was analyzed with 1-way ANOVA followed by the Fischer LSD test (α=.05). The variability was analyzed using Weibull statistics. Results Load to fracture values of all zirconia posts depended primarily on post diameter. Mean fracture loads (SD) in Newtons were 518.4 (±101.3), 993.6 (±224.1), and 622.7 (±110.3) for Groups 1 through 3, respectively, for thicker posts, and 385.9 (±110.3), 627.0 (±115.1), and 451.2 (±81.4) for Groups 1 through 3, respectively, for thinner posts. Airborne-particle-abraded posts exhibited significantly higher resistance to fracture ( P<.05) than those in the other 2 groups for diameters 1.3 mm and 1.5 mm. Grinding reduced Weibull modulus compared with controls, and the values were 4.1 and 6.5 for thicker and thinner posts, respectively. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, the results suggest that grinding leads to a significant drop in load to fracture of zirconia posts, whereas airborne-particle abrasion increased the fracture load.

Flexural properties of fiber reinforced root canal posts

Objectives. Fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) root canal posts have been introduced to be used instead of metal alloys and ceramics. The aim of this study was to investigate the flexural properties of different types of FRC posts and compare those values with a novel FRC material for dental applications. Methods. Seventeen different FRC posts of various brands (Snowpost, Carbopost, Parapost, C-post, Glassix, Carbonite) and diameters, (1.0–2.1 mm) and a continuous unidirectional E-glass FRC polymerized by light activation to a cylindrical form (everStick, diameter 1.5 mm) as a control material were tested. The posts ( n=5) were stored at room's humidity or thermocycled (12.000×, 5 °C/55 °C) and stored in water for 2 weeks before testing. A three-point bending test (span=10 mm) was used to measure the flexural strength and modulus of FRC post specimens. Results. Analysis of ANOVA revealed that thermocycling, brand of material and diameter of specimen had a significant effect ( p<0.001) on the fracture load and flexural strength. The highest flexural strength was obtained with the control material (everStick, 1144.9±99.9 MPa). There was a linear relationship between fracture load and diameter of posts for both glass fiber and carbon fiber posts. Thermocycling decreased the flexural modulus of the tested specimens by approximately 10%. Strength and fracture load decreased approximately 18% as a result of thermocycling. Significance. Considerable variation can be found in the calculated strength values of the studied post brands. Commercial prefabricated FRC posts showed lower flexural properties than an individually polymerised FRC material.