Endodontic departments should combine efforts to present an anatomic and biologic basis for the me­ chanical emphasis. The claims of dental manufac­ turers should be verified by independent scientific research to ensure the efficacy and safety of posting systems prior to their use in clinical dentistry. Some “posting systems” are quite harmful to the tooth structure, and can even cause or precipitate tooth fractures and eventual loss.

This chapter will focus on the use of prefabricated posts. The following areas will be discussed: advan­ tages of the prefabricated post system; general guidelines for their use; endodontic, anatomic, and clinical considerations; types of posts available; a summary of posting criteria and errors; and a step­ by-step presentation of the procedure to be fol­ lowed