Objective: To evaluate the effect of the activation mode of adhesive cementation on push-out bond strength of fiber-reinforced resin posts to root canal dentin. Method and Materials: Forty mandibular premolars were endodontically treated and randomly divided into 4 equal groups. In groups G-1, G-2, and G-3, Single Bond (3M Espe) was applied and light polymerized for 20 seconds; in group G-4, Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus (3M Espe) was used as an autopolymerized adhesive. The dual-cure resin cement Rely X ARC (3M Espe) was light polymerized in G-2 and G-3 but not in G-1 and G-4. The translucent post Light-Post (Bisco) was used in G-3 and the opaque post Aestheti-Plus (Bisco) in the other groups. The roots were sectioned in 3 parts (cervical, middle, apical); each slice was submitted to the push-out test at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey test (a = .05). Results: Light polymerization of both the adhesive and resin cement in G-2 led to significantly higher bond strength than in G-1, where only the adhesive was light polymerized. No difference was found between G-2 (opaque post) and G-3 (translucent post). The autopolymerized adhesive showed the highest bond strength in all root regions. The middle and apical post/root regions had similar bond strength, but it was significantly lower than that in the cervical region (P < .001). Conclusion: Bond strength to root dentin varied as a function of the activation mode of post adhesive cementation and post/root regions. (Quintessence Int 2007;38:387–394)

Key words: adhesive systems, fiber-reinforced resin post, push-out bond strength