Jyoti B Nadgere et al 8 A Survey on the Current Trends in the Use of Different Core Buildup Materials and Luting Agents in General Dental Practice 1 Jyoti B Nadgere, 2 Prachiti M Terni, 3 Sabita M Ram, 4 Naisargi P Shah ABSTRACT Aim: The aim of the survey was to evaluate the current trends in the use of different post and core buildup materials and luting agents. Materials and methods: The survey questionnaire, aimed toward evaluating the current trends in the use of different post and core buildup materials and luting agents, consisted of 15 questions. This questionnaire was validated by a panel of senior prosthodontists and sent to 600 dental practitioners in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai in a printed format. Results and conclusion: The results of the survey showed that post and core procedures are routinely performed by dental practitioners. Majority of the practitioners did not use a post for all endodontically treated teeth. A prefabricated metal post and composite core was preferred by practitioners in teeth with loss of more than two-thirds of the tooth structure. Most practitioners preferred a glass fiber post with composite core buildup under a lithium disilicate crown. A glass ionomer-based restorative core was preferred in the posterior region. Majority of the practitioners used glass ionomer cement (GIC) for luting of ceramo-metal crowns. Resin cement was the cement of choice for luting of lithium disilicate crowns. Failure of teeth restored with a post and core was rarely encountered by most practitioners and the most common cause of failure was due to fracture of the tooth. Keywords: Core buildup materials, Luting agents, Post. How to cite this article: Nadgere JB, Terni PM, Ram SM, Shah NP. A Survey on the Current Trends in the Use of Different Core Buildup Materials and Luting Agents in General Dental Practice. J Contemp Dent 2018;8(1):8-13. Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None INTRODUCTION Caries, trauma, fracture, and attrition may result in loss of part of tooth structure. Endodontic treatment may be 1,4 Professor, 2 Postgraduate Student, 3 Professor, Head and Dean 1-4 Department of Prosthodontics, Crown and Bridge, Mahatma Gandhi Mission’s Dental College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai Maharashtra, India Corresponding Author: Prachiti M Terni, Postgraduate Student, Department of Prosthodontics, Crown and Bridge Mahatma Gandhi Mission’s Dental College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Phone: +919664958767, e-mail: prachititerni@gmail.com JCD ORIGINAL RESEARCH 10.5005/jp-journals-10031-1215 required before the form and function of the tooth can be restored. Continuing developments made in endodontic therapy and restorative procedures have enhanced the longevity of endodontically involved teeth. 1 A success- ful clinical outcome depends on optimum root canal instrumentation and three-dimensional obturation as well as on adequate restorative treatment performed afterward. A loss of more than half of the coronal tooth structure mandates the use of posts. 2 The purpose of a post is to retain a core that can be used to retain the definitive prosthesis. Posts do not reinforce endodonti- cally treated teeth and are not necessary when substantial tooth structure is present after teeth have been prepared. When the remaining coronal tooth structure is very thin after tooth preparation, a post and core may help prevent coronal fractures. 3 These posts vary from a conventional custom-cast post and core to one-visit techniques, using commercially available prefabricated post systems. 1 A wide variety of materials like amalgam, glass ionomer, resin-modified glass ionomer, and composite can be used for core buildup. Establishment of the retention and resistance form of the tooth preparation is of primary importance. However, the luting agent helps enhance the retention of the indi- rect restoration, thereby increasing its longevity. Thus, the clinical success of a fixed prosthesis is also dependent on the cementation procedure. The core buildup material and the luting agent are selected such that they provide optimum retention, esthetics, and durability of the indirect restoration. The application of an appropriately selected post and core buildup material and luting agent will ensure predicable results and successful long-term clinical outcomes. With a vast multitude of materials available in the market, this survey will enable us to know the current trend in the use of post, core buildup material, and luting agent by the dental practitioners and also make available data for the recommended use of these materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS A survey was conducted among the dental practitioners of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai who restored endodonti-