Effect of surface modification of fiber post using dopamine polymerization on interfacial adhesion with core resin

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of surface modification of fiber posts using dopamine polymerization on their interfacial adhesion with core resins. The fiber posts were surface-coated with polydopamine via the oxidization polymerization of dopamine in aqueous solution. Two commercial composite resins (3M ESPE and paracore) were used to build up the cores around the post heads (modified and unmodified). Pull-out tests were conducted, and the maximum failure load (N) and the failure modes were recorded to compare the interfacial adhesion between fiber post and resin core. The results demonstrated that the tensile forces needed to damage the retention of fiber post increased from 228.6 ± 10.9 N to 276.3 ± 14.7 N in the 3M ESPE group, from 216.5 ± 17.4 N to 277.2 ± 14.3 N in the paracore group, when polydopamine-coated fiber posts were applied. No significant difference had been found between the different resin groups. The observation of the surface morphology of both fiber posts and cores after adhesive failure clearly confirmed that the presence of polydopamine interlayer had acted as a binder to bond fiber post and resin together. This study would be valuable for endodontically treatments to reduce the chances of detachment of resin core from the fiber post or dislodgement of fiber posts from the canal.