Post-and-Core
A restorative foundation consisting of a post inserted into a prepared root canal and a core build-up that replaces missing coronal tooth structure, providing retention for a crown.
Full Definition
A post-and-core is a two-component laboratory restoration in which a post (prefabricated or custom-cast) is cemented into the root canal of an endodontically treated tooth, and a core of metal, composite, or other material is built upon it to reconstruct the coronal form. The assembled post-and-core provides the necessary retention form for a definitive crown. Custom cast post-and-cores are traditionally fabricated in the dental laboratory using lost-wax casting, while milled zirconia or prefabricated fibre posts with composite cores represent contemporary alternatives. Editors should hyphenate 'post-and-core' when used as a compound modifier and as a standalone noun.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenate: 'post-and-core.' Do not write as 'post and core' or 'post & core' in formal documentation.
In Context
- "The laboratory received instructions to fabricate a cast post-and-core for tooth 21 prior to full-coverage crown preparation." — Laboratory prescription
- "The term 'post-and-core' should always be hyphenated throughout the manuscript." — Copyediting annotation