Physicochemical evaluation of silica-glass fiber reinforced polymers for prosthodontic applications

Novel 3D printing method to reinforce implant-supported denture fiberglass as material for implant prosthesis: A pilot study

Objectives

Despite a large amount of materials and methods to make an implant‐supported denture, nowadays there is no gold standard. Every solution has pros and cons that guide the clinician and the technician to choose the best solution for a single case. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanical characteristics of the fiber‐reinforced composite superstructure made by using a novel three‐dimensional (3D) printing technology able to create a reinforcing structure patient‐specific, more reliable, structurally optimized, and faster than conventional methods.

Materials and Methods

To evaluate mechanical performances of 3D‐printed fiberglass, mechanical characterization of 3D‐printed material was performed. Before proceeding with the realization of the final prosthesis, five specimens were created on which the tensile test and volumetric fiber content measurement were performed. Then denture reinforcement 3D printing process began. Initially, the robot prints layers of fiber. Finally, the obtained 3D‐printed reinforcement structure was finalized in the lab.

Results

The prosthesis obtained through this process was lighter than a traditional prosthesis, there was a greater chemical adhesion between resin and 3D‐printed reinforcement structure and a better result was obtained from an esthetic point of view.

Conclusions

The outcomes we obtained endorse its performance both mechanical and esthetic. The entire process is automatic and does not require human operation thanks to specific software programming.

Glass fiber-reinforced composites in dentistry

Background

Enormous improvements in dental materials’ manufacturing for the aim of producing durable dental materials without compromising the aesthetic properties were developed. One of the approaches that fulfill this aim is the use of reinforcing glass fibers as fillers into dental materials, typically resin polymers, in order to obtain glass fiber-reinforced composites. Glass fiber-reinforced composite offered many advantages to the dental materials though some limitations were recorded in many literature.

Methods

In this review, a study of the glass fibers’ types, factors affecting the properties and the properties of glass fibers reinforced materials was carried out; in addition, research papers that experimentally studied their applications in dentistry were presented.

Conclusion

The success of glass fibers reinforced composites in dentistry depends on glass fibers’ composition, orientation, distribution, amount, length and adhesion; these factors once employed according to the required clinical situation would provide the essential reinforcement to the dental restorations and appliances.

The biocompatibility of glass-fibre reinforced composites (GFRCs) - a systematic review

Purpose Fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) have received considerable attention, owing to their potential use in dental prostheses or bone fracture fixation applications. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze and report the biological properties of FRCs reported in the existing literature.Study selections A systematic search of four databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane library) was performed to identify all relevant studies published between 1962 and 2019. The search was limited to laboratory-based studies published in English. Citation mining was also performed through cross-referencing of included studies and hand searching of relevant journals.Results A total of 1283 potentially relevant articles were initially identified, and thirty-three articles were full-text screened. In the final ten studies included for review, four investigated bacterial adhesion and growth abilities on FRCs, four investigated the fibroblastic cytotoxicity of different surface-treated FRCs, and two investigated the osseointegration between bone and FRCs. Owing to the heterogeneity of fiber types, FRC-coating, and lack of standardized testing protocols, a meta-analysis was not feasible. The included studies indicated that glass fibers, and in particular E-glass fibers, are superior to ceramics and other FRCs in terms of bacterial adherence, fibroblast cytotoxicity, and cell viability.Conclusions Glass-fiber-reinforced composites are cytocompatible materials that possess satisfactory biological properties and can be used in dental prosthesis and craniofacial implants. Further research is necessary to regulate the matrix ion release/degradation of FRCs to prolong the initially demonstrated properties.

The biocompatibility of glass-fibre reinforced composites (GFRCs) - a systematic review

PURPOSE

Fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) have received considerable attention, owing to their potential use in dental prostheses or bone fracture fixation applications. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze and report the biological properties of FRCs reported in the existing literature.

STUDY SELECTIONS

A systematic search of four databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane library) was performed to identify all relevant studies published between 1962 and 2019. The search was limited to laboratory-based studies published in English. Citation mining was also performed through cross-referencing of included studies and hand searching of relevant journals.

RESULTS

A total of 1283 potentially relevant articles were initially identified, and thirty-three articles were full-text screened. In the final ten studies included for review, four investigated bacterial adhesion and growth abilities on FRCs, four investigated the fibroblastic cytotoxicity of different surface-treated FRCs, and two investigated the osseointegration between bone and FRCs. Owing to the heterogeneity of fiber types, FRC-coating, and lack of standardized testing protocols, a meta-analysis was not feasible. The included studies indicated that glass fibers, and in particular E-glass fibers, are superior to ceramics and other FRCs in terms of bacterial adherence, fibroblast cytotoxicity, and cell viability.

CONCLUSIONS

Glass-fiber-reinforced composites are cytocompatible materials that possess satisfactory biological properties and can be used in dental prosthesis and craniofacial implants. Further research is necessary to regulate the matrix ion release/degradation of FRCs to prolong the initially demonstrated properties.

The Effect of Silica and Prepolymer Nanoparticles on the Mechanical Properties of Denture Base Acrylic Resin

PURPOSE

To evaluate how hydrophobic nanoparticle silica and prepolymer affect the flexural strength, surface hardness, surface roughness, and resilience of a denture base acrylic resin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 40 denture base acrylic resin specimens with dimensions 65 × 10 × 3 mm³ were fabricated in this study. Specimens were divided into five experimental groups (n = 8) according to surface-treated silica and prepolymer concentration incorporated into the acrylic resin (weight %) prior to polymerization: G1 acted as control, no fillers were used in this group. G2: 1 wt% 12 nm silica nanoparticles; G3: 5 wt% 12 nm silica nanoparticles; G4: 1 wt% 12 nm prepolymer nanoparticles; G5: 5 wt% 12 nm prepolymer nanoparticles were added into the acrylic mixture. Acrylic specimens were polymerized according to the manufacturer's instructions. Three-point bending test was performed to evaluate the flexural strength and the resilience of the specimens. Then, a digital profilometer was used to determine the surface roughness of the specimens. Surface hardness was conducted by a digital Shore D hardness testing machine. Surface analysis of one specimen in each group was performed with a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to observe the fracture surfaces of specimens. ANOVA and Tukey tests were used for the statistical analysis (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Statistical analysis revealed significant differences among the groups. All groups showed poor flexural strength as compared with the control (p < 0.05). Regarding resilience, silica 5% showed the highest value whereas silica 1% showed the lowest value. Regarding Shore D hardness, silica 1% had the lowest hardness whereas polymer addition did not significantly influence the hardness of the acrylic resin (p < 0.05). Furthermore, silica 1% presented the highest roughness as compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). SEM images indicated some porosity and voids on fracture surfaces.

CONCLUSIONS

Both the silica and prepolymer incorporation into acrylic resin adversely affected the flexural strength of the acrylic resin compared to control group. In all concentrations, prepolymer incorporation resulted in increased flexural strength of acrylic resins compared to silica addition. The greater concentrations of the fillers resulted in increased mechanical properties of the acrylic resin.

Flexural properties of polyethylene, glass and carbon fiber-reinforced resin composites for prosthetic frameworks

OBJECTIVE

High flexural properties are needed for fixed partial denture or implant prosthesis to resist susceptibility to failures caused by occlusal overload. The aim of this investigation was to clarify the effects of four different kinds of fibers on the flexural properties of fiber-reinforced composites.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Polyethylene fiber, glass fiber and two types of carbon fibers were used for reinforcement. Seven groups of specimens, 2 × 2 × 25 mm, were prepared (n = 10 per group). Four groups of resin composite specimens were reinforced with polyethylene, glass or one type of carbon fiber. The remaining three groups served as controls, with each group comprising one brand of resin composite without any fiber. After 24-h water storage in 37°C distilled water, the flexural properties of each specimen were examined with static three-point flexural test at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min.

RESULTS

Compared to the control without any fiber, glass and carbon fibers significantly increased the flexural strength (p < 0.05). On the contrary, the polyethylene fiber decreased the flexural strength (p < 0.05). Among the fibers, carbon fiber exhibited higher flexural strength than glass fiber (p < 0.05). Similar trends were observed for flexural modulus and fracture energy. However, there was no significant difference in fracture energy between carbon and glass fibers (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Fibers could, therefore, improve the flexural properties of resin composite and carbon fibers in longitudinal form yielded the better effects for reinforcement.

Effect of the addition of silanated silica on the mechanical properties of microwave heat-cured acrylic resin

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the flexural strength and Vickers hardness of a microwave energy heat-cured acrylic resin by adding different concentrations of silane surface-treated nanoparticle silica.

METHODS

Acrylic resin specimens with dimensions of 65 × 10 × 2.5 mm were formed and divided into five experimental groups (n = 10) according to the silica concentration added to the acrylic resin mass (weight %) prior to polymerisation : G1, without silica; G2, 0.1% silica; G3, 0.5% silica; G4, 1.0% silica; and G5, 5.0% silica. The specimens were submitted to a three-point flexural strength test and to the Vickers hardness test (HVN). The data obtained were statistically analysed by anova and the Tukey test (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

Regarding flexural strength, G5 differed from the other experimental groups (G1, G2, G3 and G4) presenting the lowest mean, while G4 presented a significantly higher mean, with the exception of group G3. Regarding Vickers hardness, a decrease in values was observed, in which G1 presented the highest hardness compared with the other experimental groups.

CONCLUSION

Incorporating surface-treated silica resulted in direct benefits in the flexural strength of the acrylic resin activated by microwave energy; however, similar results were not achieved for hardness.

Influence of thermal cycling on flexural properties of composites reinforced with unidirectional silica-glass fibers

OBJECTIVES

The purpose was to investigate the effect of water storage and thermal cycling on the flexural properties of differently sized unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) containing different quantities of fibers. The effect of fiber orientation on the thermal expansion of FRCs as well as how the stresses in the composites can be affected was considered.

METHODS

An experimental polymeric base material was reinforced with silica-glass fibers. The cleaned and silanized fibers were sized with either linear PBMA-size or crosslinked PMMA-size. For the determination of flexural properties and water uptake, specimens were processed with various quantities of differently sized unidirectional fibers. Water uptake of FRC was measured. Water immersed specimens were thermally cycled for 500 and 12,000 cycles (5 degrees C/55 degrees C). Flexural properties of "dry" and wet specimens with and without thermal cycling were determined by a three-point bending test. The linear coefficients of thermal expansion (LCTE) for FRC samples with different fiber orientations were determined using a thermomechanical analyzer.

RESULTS

Water uptake of the FRC specimens increased with a decrease in fiber content of the FRC. Flexural properties of FRCs improved with increasing fiber content, whereas the flexural properties were not influenced significantly by water and thermal cycling. Fiber orientation had different effects on LCTE of FRCs. Unidirectional FRCs had two different LCTE in longitudinal and transverse directions whereas bidirectional FRCs had similar LCTE in two directions and a higher one in the third direction.

SIGNIFICANCE

The results of the study suggest that the surface-treated unidirectional silica-glass FRC can be used for long-term clinical applications in the oral cavity.

Bond strength between a silica glass-fiber-reinforced composite and artificial polymer teeth

OBJECTIVE

A resin-bonded prosthesis is preferred when conservation of abutment tooth structure is required, although a problem with such systems is bonding between the fixed partial denture material and a polymer pontic. The aim of this study was to investigate the bond strength of a silica glass-fiber-reinforced composite to polymer teeth compared with the bond strength of a proprietary heat-polymerized denture base polymer and also between a layer of the polymerized matrix polymer of the experimental base material and an additional layer of the same material.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Polymeric artificial maxillary incisors and two heat-polymerized base materials (ProBase Hot and an experimental formulation) were used. Three test groups (each n=6) were prepared: bonding between artificial tooth and an experimental composite (group-TC), bonding between tooth and ProBase Hot (group-TP), and bonding between experimental base material and experimental base material (group-BB). The content of inorganic particles of teeth was determined by combustion analysis. The bond strengths were measured in shear with a universal testing machine and the data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Scheffé test (p<0.05). After failure, the fracture surfaces were examined by optical microscopy.

RESULTS

The content of inorganic particles in the teeth was low. There is no statistically significant difference in bond strength between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Bond strength of the experimental composite to artificial polymer teeth was as good as that of a conventional heat-polymerized denture base polymer. The strong bonding between the experimental material and artificial teeth makes this combination suitable for resin-bonded prostheses.

Effect of thermal cycling on composites reinforced with two differently sized silica-glass fibers

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of thermal cycling on the flexural properties of composites reinforced with two differently sized fibers.

METHODS

Acid-washed, woven, fused silica-glass fibers, were heat-treated at 500 degrees C, silanized and sized with one of two sizing resins (linear poly(butyl methacrylate)) (PBMA), cross-linked poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Subsequently the fibers were incorporated into a polymer matrix. Two test groups with fibers and one control group without fibers were prepared. The flexural properties of the composite reinforced with linear PBMA-sized fibers were evaluated by 3-point bend testing before thermal cycling. The specimens from all three groups were thermally cycled in water (12,000 cycles, 5/55 degrees C, dwell time 30 s), and afterwards tested by 3-point bending. SEM micrographs were taken of the fibers and of the fractured fiber reinforced composites (FRC).

RESULTS

The reduction of ultimate flexural strength after thermal cycling was less than 20% of that prior to thermal cycling for composites reinforced with linear PBMA-sized silica-glass fibers. The flexural strength of the composite reinforced with cross-linked PMMA-sized fibers was reduced to less than half of the initial value.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study demonstrated that thermal cycling differently influences the flexural properties of composites reinforced with different sized silica-glass fibers. The interfacial linear PBMA-sizing polymer acts as a stress-bearing component for the high interfacial stresses during thermal cycling due to the flexible structure of the linear PBMA above Tg. The cross-linked PMMA-sizing, however, acts as a rigid component and therefore causes adhesive fracture between the fibers and matrix after the fatigue process of thermal cycling and flexural fracture.

Mechanical and physical properties of carbon–graphite fiber-reinforced polymers intended for implant suprastructures

OBJECTIVES

Mechanical properties and quality of fiber/matrix adhesion of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based materials, reinforced with carbon-graphite (CG) fibers that are able to remain in a plastic state until polymerization, were examined.

METHODS

Tubes of cleaned braided CG fibers were treated with a sizing resin. Two resin mixtures, resin A and resin B, stable in the fluid state and containing different cross-linking agents, were reinforced with CG fiber loadings of 24, 36, and 47 wt% (20, 29, and 38 vol.%). In addition, resin B was reinforced with 58 wt% (47 vol.%). After heat-polymerization, flexural strength and modulus were evaluated, both dry and after water storage. Coefficient of thermal expansion, longitudinally and in the transverse direction of the specimens, was determined. Adhesion between fibers and matrix was evaluated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

RESULTS

Flexural properties and linear coefficient of thermal expansion were similar for both fiber composites. With increased fiber loading, flexural properties increased. For 47 wt% fibers in polymer A the flexural strength was 547.7 (28.12) MPa and for polymer B 563.3 (89.24) MPa when water saturated. Linear coefficient of thermal expansion was for 47 wt% CG fiber-reinforced polymers; -2.5 x 10(-6) degrees C-1 longitudinally and 62.4 x 10(-6) degrees C-1 in the transverse direction of the specimens. SEM revealed good adhesion between fibers and matrix. More porosity was observed with fiber loading of 58 wt%.

CONCLUSIONS

The fiber treatment and the developed resin matrices resulted in good adhesion between CG fibers and matrix. The properties observed indicate a potential for implant-retained prostheses.

Influence of fibre and filler reinforcement of plastic brackets: an in vitro study

In spite of their popularity in fulfilling aesthetic requirements, plastic brackets still present some disadvantages because of their low elastic modulus, decreased fracture toughness, and reduced wear resistance. Fibre-reinforced composites are well established in dentistry and consist of a polymer matrix in which reinforcing fibres are embedded. Stress is transferred from the polymer matrix to the fibres which present a high tensile strength. Hence, the mechanical properties of polymers could be improved. The purpose of this study was to compare fracture strength, fracture toughness and flexural strength of an experimental fibre-reinforced bracket material, an SiO(2) filler-reinforced bracket and an unfilled plastic bracket material (control group). Experimental brackets and specialized bars were manufactured. Tests were performed after thermal cycling (5 degrees C/55 degrees C) the samples in an artificial oral environment of a device to simulate mastication. Statistical evaluation was undertaken. The median, 25th and 75th percentiles were calculated and a Mann-Whitney U-test was performed. In this study two findings were obvious. (1) Filler reinforcement of plastic brackets improved fracture strength and fracture toughness in comparison with the unfilled bracket material. (2) Glass fibre reinforcement of orthodontic bracket materials resulted in the greatest enhancement of the mechanical properties in comparison with the other test groups. Therefore, the application of glass fibres in plastic brackets is a successful method to enhance fracture strength.

Evaluation of two matrix materials intended for fiber-reinforced polymers

Two matrix resins for fiber composites that remain in a fluid state during storage and handling before polymerization were evaluated. The resin mixtures, based on methyl methacrylate (MMA), were produced with two different cross-linking agent systems: 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate or diethylene glycol dimethacrylate. Water sorption, water solubility, water uptake and residual MMA monomer were determined. Thermomechanical analysis was used to determine linear dimensional changes as a function of temperature. Flexural strength and modulus as well as fracture work and the maximum stress intensity factor were determined. The results revealed similar values for both matrix polymers regarding water sorption, water solubility, water uptake, residual MMA monomer (0.5 wt% (+/- 0.03)) and coefficient of linear thermal expansion. Flexural strength for polymer B was 68.7 MPa (+/- 9.8) compared to 56.0 MPa (+/- 13.3) for polymer A when tested dry and 64 MPa (+/- 6.1) compared to (54 MPa (+/- 3.3) when water-saturated. Fracture toughness tests showed higher maximum stress intensity factor values for polymer B (0.75 +/- 0.17) MPa x m1/2 than for polymer A (0.55 +/- 0.12) MPa x m1/2. The resin binders showed an appropriate consistency while remaining in a fluid state during storage and manipulation.