Technical Data Sheet

3M Oral Care

3M post and core solution

RelyX™ Fiber Post 3D
Glass Fiber Post
3M post and core solution

Introduction

3M post and core solution.

Featuring RelyX Fiber Post
™

The 3M post and core solution stands for a simplified but robust procedure with reliable, predictable outcomes –
requiring only four clinically proven products and significantly fewer work steps:

Filtek™ Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative offers material

and handling characteristics, which make it a favorite core build-up
material, especially for big lesions in combination with a post: With
one-step increments up to 5 mm, core build-ups can be done faster
and easier.

Scotchbond™ Universal Adhesive provides a strong

bond of the core build-up material to post and tooth structure.
In one easy application – with no need for an additional primer.

RelyX ™ Fiber Post 3D Glass Fiber Post’s coronal

3D macro retentions ensure a secure bond to the core build-up.
Together with RelyX™ Unicem 2 Automix Cement its microporous
surface also offers excellent bond strength in the root canal.

RelyX ™ Unicem 2 Automix Self-Adhesive

Resin Cement not only offers high bond strength but
also saves precious time, as a pretreatment is not required.
The automix syringe together with the endo tip are designed
to apply the cement directly into the root canal, reducing
the chance of air pockets and voids.
 Technical Data Sheet

.
3D Glass Fiber Post.

4 Filtek™ Bulk Fill

P
  osterior Restorative

Scotchbond™ Universal
3 Adhesive

RelyX™ Fiber Post 3D

2 Glass Fiber Post

RelyX™ Unicem 2 Automix

1 Self-Adhesive Universal
Resin Cement
3M post and core solution

Procedure steps and product descriptions

S
  election of the post

POST RelyX Fiber Post 3D Glass Fiber Posts (and also the existing
™

RelyX Fiber Posts) are radiopaque, translucent, glass fiber-reinforced

™

composite posts.

The new generation posts feature coronal 3D macro retentions and

superficial micro-porosities which together ensure a strong bond from
root to core.

Sizes
All glass fiber posts are available in four sizes*: 0, 1, 2, and 3. Color codes ensure an accurate match to the drills.
Drills (available in five sizes including one universal drill) are the same for both types of 3M Oral Care posts and
are used for removal of the root canal filling and preparation of the root canal.

COMBINATION POST/DRILL

POST SIZE/COLOR CODE 0/white 1/yellow 2/red 3/blue

REMOVAL OF THE ROOT FILLING Universal drill Universal drill Universal drill Universal drill

PREPARATION OF THE ROOT CANAL Drill white Drill yellow Drill red Drill blue

TECHNICAL DATA POSTS

DIAMETER OF APICAL POST END (MM) 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90

DIAMETER OF CORONAL POST END WITHOUT

1.10 1.30 1.60 1.90
RETENTION (MM)

TAPER 2.86° (5 %) 3.44° (6 %) 4.58° (8 %) 5.72° (10 %)

LENGTH 20 mm 20 mm 20 mm 20 mm

Fig. 1: RelyX™ Fiber Post 3D Glass Fiber Post sizes and technical data.

RelyX™ Fiber Post 3D Glass Fiber Post

Universal drill

Size 0

Size 3
Size 2
Size 1

* Not all sizes are available in all countries.

 Technical Data Sheet

Shape
RelyX™ Fiber Post 3D and RelyX Fiber Post Glass Fiber Posts have both a tapered shape: They are parallel-walled
(cylindrical) at the coronal end and conical at the apical end. The coronal end of the cylindrical part offers a
large surface area for the adhesion of the core build-up material and the greatest material thickness to withstand
mastication forces.

Moreover, the coronal area of the new generation post is also equipped with unique 3D macro retention rings
that allow for secure retention to the core build-up material. The area is partly flattened, enabling a safe grip
with tweezers.

The microporous surface of the conical end allows high mechanical retention for the cement and a strong bond
to the root canal.

Coronal 3D
macro
retentions

Flattened
side of
coronal area

Superficial
micro-porosities
at conical end

Composition
RelyX Fiber Post 3D Glass Fiber Posts are made from highly radiopaque
glass fibers embedded into a composite resin matrix. For superior
mechanical properties, the glass fibers have a parallel orientation and
are distributed equally over the surface area (Fig. 2).

In addition, the glass fibers are pre-tensioned for enhanced post stability
during the manufacturing process. A two-step manufacturing procedure
that includes chemical and thermal curing, assures virtually complete curing 10 µm
of the composite resin matrix.
Fig. 2: SEM image (magnification 2kx) of a cross-section
Due to their advantageous combination of mechanical and esthetic of RelyX™ Fiber Post 3D Glass Fiber Post. Glass fibers are
depicted as white spots surrounded by a composite resin
properties, RelyX Fiber Post 3D posts are ideally suited for highly esthetic matrix. Source: 3M Oral Care internal data.

restorations.
 3M post and core solution

Radiopacity
Both RelyX™ Fiber Post 3D and RelyX Fiber Post Glass Fiber Posts are radiopaque. The radiopacity of RelyX Fiber Post
(size 2) equals 2.5 mm Al/mm. With the new fibers used in RelyX Fiber Post 3D, the radiopacity is further increased
to 3.5 mm Al/mm (Fig. 3)1, i.e. RelyX™ Fiber Post 3D offers enhanced radiopacity enabling better post position
control. These findings are also confirmed by Peez et al.2

High flexural strength [GPa]

1.5

0.5

RelyX™ Fiber Post 3D RelyX™ Fiber Post Rebilda® D.T. Light-Post® ParaPost® Taper FiberKleer™ 4X™ FRC Postec® LuxaPost
(3M Oral Care) (3M Oral Care) (Voco) Illusion™ X-RO® Lux™ (Pentron) (Ivoclar Vivadent) (DMG America)
(Bisco) 0
(Coltène)
™
DT Illusion XRO SL FRC Postec Plus Rebilda Post RelyX™ RelyX™ RelyX™ RelyX™
st 3D Fig. 3: Radiopacity of RelyX™ Fiber Post 3D and RelyX™ Fiber Post Glass Fiber Posts compared to competitive products. Fiber Post Fiber Post 3D Fiber Post Fiber Post 3D
Source: THE DENTAL ADVISOR, Research Report Number 70 – June 2015.1
with TC without TC

Flexural strength
The flexural strength of the post contributes to the overall stability of the restoration. The flexural strength of RelyX
Fiber Post 3D and also RelyX Fiber Post Glass Fiber Posts equals or exceeds that of competing products tested (Fig. 4).
Thermocycling tests assess the long-term stability under simulated aging conditions. RelyX Fiber Post 3D and RelyX
Fiber Post show both high flexural strength values even after 10,000 thermocycles (Fig. 5) and thus meet one of the
key prerequisites for the longevity of restorations.

2 2 2
Flexural strength [GPa]

Flexural strength [GPa]

Flexural strength [GPa]

1.5 1.5 1.5

1 1 1

0.5 0.5 0.5

0 0 0
RelyX™ RelyX™ DT Illusion FRC Rebilda RelyX™ RelyX™ RelyX™ RelyX™
Fiber Post 3D Fiber Post XRO SL Postec Plus Post Fiber Post 3D Fiber Post Fiber Post 3D Fiber Post

before TC after TC
Fig. 4: One-point flexural strength testing of RelyX™ Fiber Post (3D) Glass Fiber Posts and Fig. 5: One-point flexural strength testing before and after thermocycling (TC), 10,000 cycles,
competitive endodontic posts. All posts with a similar diameter of 1.5 – 1.6 mm. Source: 5 °C/55 °C, dwell time 30 s, change time 8 s. Source: 3M Oral Care internal data. Data
3M Oral Care internal data. Data available upon request. See last page for contact information. available upon request. See last page for contact information.

The higher the Young’s modulus of a material is, the less flexible it is. In contrast to posts made from metal alloys or
ceramics, the Young’s modulus of RelyX Fiber Post 3D is more similar to dentin.

Due to the high Young’s modulus of metal and ceramics, failures with these posts mainly occur as a result of
excessive stress on the dentin and, consequently, in a higher incidence of root fractures. With fiber posts, very little
stress arises during use and the stress is evenly spread all along the root.3 The tapered shape in the apical area of
RelyX Fiber Post 3D and the shape congruency of the prepared canal and post further contribute to an even stress
distribution.

In addition to the biomechanical behavior, other advantageous properties of fiber posts in general have contributed
to their rapid diffusion among clinicians. Fiber posts simplify the endodontic restoration procedure compared to
the use of metal cast posts by eliminating the laboratory step. If a retreatment is needed, fiber posts are relatively
easy to remove with a rotary instrument. Moreover, fiber posts offer the most favorable esthetic properties for
reproducing the natural look of the restored tooth.4
 Technical Data Sheet

P
  ost cementation
CEMENT RelyX Unicem 2 Automix Self-Adhesive
™

Resin Cement provides a reliably high bond strength – without

pretreatment steps. The automix syringe together with the endo
tip enable a smart and void-free application of the cement
directly into the root canal.

Generally, decementation at the cement/dentin interface is considered to be the main

cause of fiber post failures.³

By eliminating the etching, priming and bonding steps, self-adhesive resin cements
simplify the cementation and they are a reliable and robust alternative for luting glass
fiber posts. Due to the reduced number of work steps, the procedure is less
technique-sensitive and less prone to mistakes.⁵

With RelyX Unicem 2 Automix Cement, dentists get the same high bond strength to tooth structure6 as with
adhesive resin cements but with significantly fewer steps required.

Peez et al.¹ investigated the bonding performance of RelyX Unicem 2 Automix Cement to RelyX Fiber Post 3D and
compared the data to a control group with an adhesive resin cement (RelyX Ultimate Adhesive Resin Cement,
3M Oral Care). Both the adhesive resin cement (RelyX Ultimate Cement) and the self-adhesive resin cement
(RelyX Unicem 2 Automix Cement) showed consistently high bond strength values with RelyX Fiber Post 3D (Fig. 6).

In a clinical environment, RelyX Unicem 2 Automix Cement might be easier to use. Due to the micro roughness
(Rz = 10 ± 4 μm) of the post surface (Fig. 7) and the excellent chemical compatibility of the resin components
of RelyX Fiber Post 3D and RelyX Unicem 2 Automix Cement, no pretreatments of the post such as etching or
silanization are necessary.

20
18
16
Bond strength [MPa]

14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
LC DC LC DC
RelyX™ Unicem 2 Automix RelyX™ Ultimate
100 µm
Self-Adhesive Resin Cement Adhesive Resin Cement

Fig. 6: Pull-off bond strength values of RelyX™ Ultimate Cement and RelyX™ Unicem 2 Automix Cement in comparison. Fig. 7: Surface of RelyX™ Fiber Post 3D Glass Fiber Post
Both materials show same performance in light-cure (LC) and dark-cure (DC) mode. Source: Peez et al.¹ (SEM, 200x magnification). Source: Peez et al.¹
 3M post and core solution

Core build-up
ADHESIVE Scotchbond™ Universal Adhesive provides a strong, reliable bond
of the core build-up material to the post and tooth structure in one application – with no
need for an additional primer.

To achieve a secure bond between the post and the composite core build-up material, it is
sufficient to apply Scotchbond Universal Adhesive to the post and the surrounding tooth
structure once and after removal of any excess cement. A separate etching step is not required.

Schwarz et al.7 evaluated the effect of macro retentions in the coronal part of endodontic
posts by testing the combination of Filtek™ Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative bonded with
Scotchbond Universal Adhesive to post samples with and without macro retentions: Overall,
both coronal designs showed high bond strength values of the core build-up to the post using Scotchbond
Universal Adhesive. Nevertheless, the significantly higher values for samples with macro retentions might
be advantageous for a reliable clinical outcome (Fig. 8).

20
Bond strength [MPa]

15

10

0
Posts with macro retentions Posts without macro retentions
Fig. 8: Bond strength comparison of posts (median values) with and without macro retentions using a pull-off test method (speed: 1 mm/min).
Bonding surface treated with Scotchbond™ Universal Adhesive. Filtek™ Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative light-cured from front side for 20 s, samples
were stored (1 h 36 °C/>95% rel. humidity; 23 h water 36 °C) prior to testing. Source: Schwarz et al.7

The chemistry of Scotchbond Universal Adhesive utilizes phosphorylated monomers in a water/ethanol-based

solution that provides acidity and allows the adhesive to bond to dentin and enamel without the use of a separate
phosphoric acid etching step. With a pH value of 2.7, it can be considered as a mild self-etch adhesive.

Scotchbond Universal Adhesive uses three trusted and well-known

adhesion promoters in one formulation (VMS technology) and thus also
bonds to restoration substrates like fiber posts:

• Vitrebond™ Copolymer provides consistent bonding to dentin

under varying moisture levels.
• MDP provides self-etching properties and high bond strength to
zirconia, alumina, metals, and metal alloys.
• Silane allows for chemical bonding to glass ceramic surfaces without
using a separate ceramic primer.
 Technical Data Sheet

CORE BUILD-UP MATERIAL Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior

™

Restorative enables an easy and void-free core build-up around the post.

Due to its material properties, Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative is ideally suited for making
core build-ups: It is a visible, light-activated restorative composite optimized for posterior
restorations providing excellent strength for durability. Shades are semi-translucent and allow
low-stress curing, enabling up to 5 mm depth of cure. Thus, core build-ups can be made faster
than when placing and curing restorative material in increments. The capsule tip design allows
void-free application of the material.

By modifying the proportions of high molecular weight monomers, a resin system with the properties of a sculptable
bulk fill material was developed. In addition, the higher molecular weight effectively reduces shrinkage, while still
creating a tough, highly cross-linked network. For easier preparation, the cured material cuts like dentin.

Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative is one of 3M Oral Care’s most radiopaque composites. This high level of radiopacity
is achieved by incorporating nano ytterbium trifluoride. The remaining fillers are a combination of a non-agglomerated/
non-aggregated 20 nm silica filler, a non-agglomerated/non-aggregated 4 to 11 nm zirconia filler, an aggregated
zirconia/silica cluster filler (composed of 20 nm silica and 4 to 11 nm zirconia particles), making the total inorganic
filler loading approximately 76.5 % by weight (58.4 % by volume).

These properties make Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative a favorite material, especially for larger core build-ups in
combination with a post.

Using Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative for a core build-up around RelyX™ Fiber Post 3D Glass Fiber Post leads to a
strong and void-free core build-up. The material is sculptable but easy to adapt to both tooth structure and post. Peez
et al.1 analyzed samples using μCT measurements. On the μCT images of the cross-section, close, void-free contact
between Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative and RelyX Fiber Post 3D Glass Fiber Post is visible (Fig. 9).

μm

10500

9500

8500

7500

6500

5500

4500

3500

2500

1500

500

2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000 μm

Fig. 9: X-ray microtomography data were collected on samples placed on endodontic training teeth showing void-free
contact between Filtek™ Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative and RelyX™ Fiber Post 3D Glass Fiber Post. Source: Peez et al.1
3M post and core solution

F  ield evaluation results

In an in-office evaluation, the 3M post and core solution was tested by dentists from Europe and the U.S. More than
700 RelyX™ Fiber Post 3D Glass Fiber Posts were placed and documented during the evaluation period. The dentists’
feedback confirms the very high clinical acceptance. When asked for the overall performance of the 3M post and
core solution, 92% responded they were very satisfied or satisfied (Fig. 10).

How do you rate the overall performance of the

3M post and core solution?
Very satisfied 50.0 %

92%
Rather satisfied 42.2%

Rather unsatisfied 6.3%

Not satisfied at all 1.6%

are very satisfied or
Can’t say 0.0% satisfied.
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Count

Fig. 10: Overall performance of the 3M post and core solution. Source: Field evaluation conducted by 3M Oral Care.

In particular, the new RelyX Fiber Post 3D Glass Fiber Post – and here specifically its easy handling, good
esthetics and the significantly improved radiopacity (making the post clearly distinguishable from the surrounding
tooth structure) – was rated excellent.

Together with the clinically proven RelyX Unicem 2 Automix Cement and Filtek™ Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative,
the entire system enables an convenient, fast and reliable procedure for endodontic restorations (Figs. 11/12).
A recommendation rate of approx. 90% makes it clear that dentists who have tested the system very much
appreciate all these facts.

How do you rate the direct application of RelyX Unicem 2

Automix Cement into the root canal using an endo tip?
Very satisfied 82.8 %

98%
Rather satisfied 15.6 %

Rather unsatisfied 1.6%

Not satisfied at all 0.0%

are very satisfied or
Can’t say 0.0% satisfied.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Count

Fig. 11: Rating of direct application of RelyX™ Unicem 2 Automix Cement into the root canal using an endo tip.
Source: Field evaluation conducted by 3M Oral Care.

Would you agree that Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior

Restorative enables a fast and easy core build-up?
Fully agree 24 %

93%
Agree 69 %

Disagree 6%

Totally disagree 0% fully agree or agree.

0% 10 % 20% 30 % 40% 50 % 60 % 70% 80 %

Fig. 12: Agreement that Filtek™ Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative enables a fast and easy core build-up. Source: Field evaluation
conducted by 3M Oral Care.
 Technical Data Sheet

Clinical case

3M post and core procedure

in anterior region
Dr. Gunnar Reich, Munich, Germany

Pretreatment and post selection

Fig. 1: Situation after endodontic treatment Fig. 2: For endodontic restorative treatment, Fig. 3: RelyX™ Fiber Post 3D Glass Fiber Fig. 4: Prior to cementation of the posts,
of left upper incisor and canine. the guttapercha filling is removed with the Posts are shortened to the necessary length root canals are cleaned by rinsing and dried.
Endodontic treatment is indicated after Universal Drill. Then, the cavity is widened at the coronal end with a diamond disc.
tooth trauma and bridge loss. The coronal and shaped with the drills up to the size
tooth loss requires an endodontic post required.
treatment.

Post cementation Application of adhesive

Fig. 5: RelyX™ Unicem 2 Automix Cement Fig. 6: After insertion of the post into the Fig. 7: Scotchbond™ Universal Adhesive is Fig. 8: Scotchbond™ Universal Adhesive is
is used to cement the posts. The endo tip root canal, the excess cement is removed applied to post and dentin once the cement light-cured for 10 sec. The situation is
helps to easily fill the root canals from using a micro brush. Then the cement is has set. now ready to build up the core.
bottom to top. allowed to set.

Core build-up

Fig. 9: Filtek™ Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative Fig. 10: Finally, the core build-ups are
is used as core build-up material. With the prepared and finished, ready for the
capsule, the composite can be applied impressioning procedure and temporary
directly. Then, the composite is adapted restoration.
and shaped with a Heidemann spatula.
A matrix is not necessary.
References
1 THE DENTAL ADVISOR, Research Report Number 70 – June 2015

2 R. Peez, R. Hampe, S. Hader, E. Popp, J. Edgington: Evaluation of a New Cement Post and Core Procedure System,
J Dent Res 94 (Spec Iss A): 0105, 2015, (www.dentalresearch.org)

3 E. Bru, L. Forner, C. Llena, A. Almenar: Fibre post behaviour prediction factors. A review of the literature,
J Clin Exp Dent. 2013; 5(3):e150-3

4 C. Goracci, M. Ferrari: Current perspectives on post systems: A literature review.

Aust Dent J 2011;56 Suppl 1:77-83

5 N. Boscato, T. Pereira-Cenci, R.R. Moraes: Self-Adhesive Resin Cement for Luting Glass Fiber Posts,
Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry Vol 26, No 6, 417–421, 2014

6 R.R. Pacheco, R.V. Rodrigues, G.M.B. Ambrosano, F.M. Pascon, M. Giannini: Dentin Bond Strength
of Fiber Posts Cemented with Resin Cements, J Dent Res 93 (Spec Iss A): 248, 2014, (www.dentalresearch.org)

7 Schwarz et al.: Bond Strength of Post and Core Build-up Systems, Abstract filed and accepted for poster
presentation at the 47th Meeting of CED-IADR in Antalya (Turkey), ID2300467

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