Super Fiber Post
One-step fiber-optic post system offers the ideal balance of light transmission and radiopacity for complete polymerization all the way to the apex
If you sift through all the marketing, chatter, and big brand names, sometimes, you’ll find a hidden gem of a product that apparently came out of nowhere. While that might seem like the case for the Super Fiber Post—a one-step fiber-optic post system with the ideal balance of light transmission and radiopacity—it’s far from the truth.
Like most dental products, the Super Fiber Post was initially created to solve a problem. In this case, that was when a dentist challenged iLumi Sciences founder John Tokizawa to leverage his decades-long experience with fiber optics to create a dental post system with both light transmission and radiopacity. Three years later, Tokizawa landed on both.
A Super Solution
Super Fiber Post stands out from other post systems for its ability to deliver photocuring light all the way to the apex and ensure complete polymerization—a phenomenon that’s not always guaranteed when using traditional metal or carbon fiber posts. “With all the advancements in modern materials, there really isn’t any reason to opt for metal, especially in a post,” says Brandon Tiek, DDS, who put Super Fiber Post to the test in a recent DPS product review. He noted that because the post shape is very anatomical, he avoids undue stress on the tooth root—a leading cause of root fracture.
Available in a variety of post and corresponding drill sizes with color-coded stoppers, Super Fiber Posts provide omnidirectional photocuring light, dentin-like elasticity, easy handling, and 5x aluminum radiopacity at 1 mm. “To have confidence that either the cement or flowable composite is fully polymerized, the post must be translucent enough to allow for light transmission,” said Dr. Tiek. “Otherwise, you would only be allowed to use a non-light-cured cement.”
The Secret Sauce
While we may never know the exact science behind the Super Fiber Post's 5x radiopacity, as iLumi holds a patent for its optical properties, what we do know for certain is the benefit that high radiopacity provides: detailed x-ray visibility when the post is surrounded by tooth, soft tissue, and core material.
“Super Fiber Post is on par or better than other post systems I’ve used. It is adequately distinct on a radiograph, which gives me confidence that I’m seeing the precise placement and location of the post,” concluded Dr. Tiek.
