ABSTRACT
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro seal capability of interim post and core crown restorations. Eighty teeth were selected and divided into 8 groups. Four experimental groups received interim posts and core crowns. Half of each group was decoronated at the cementum-enamel junction, groups PCCH and PCZO. The other half was sectioned 2 mm coronal to the cementum-enamel junction, groups PCrZO and PCrCH. The interim post and core crowns were luted with Rely X Temp NE, groups PCrZO and PCZO; Hydro C was used for Groups PCrCH and PCCH. The control groups, PC and PCr, received uncoated post and core crowns; groups OTg and OT were left without interim post and core crowns and were totally open. Infiltration was accessed by dye exposure followed by demineralization of the teeth. The length of the infiltration was measured using digital images taken from the specimens. The images were inserted into the Image Tool 3.0 software. Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance and Dunn's multiple comparison method were used to test for significant differences among test groups (P < .05). Groups PCrZO and PCrCH showed the least dye penetration, followed by groups PCZO and PCCH. Teeth restored with interim post and core crowns will be subject to leakage. Ethics Committee: 095/2008.