Fiber-reinforced fixed partial dentures: a preliminary retrospective clinical study

Effect of fiber-reinforcement on the strength of polymer materials for provisional restorations: An in vitro study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of three different methods of fiber reinforcement (glass fibers preimpregnated, glass fibers nonpreimpregnated, and polyethylene fibers) on the flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of poly-methyl-methacrylate resin (PMMA) and Bis-Gma materials.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 60 specimens of autopolymerizing PMMA resin specimens were fabricated using a stainless steel matrix with dimensions of (37.5± 2) × (3 ± 0.1) × (3 ± 0.1) mm according to the standards of ISO 10477. The autopolymerizing resins used in this study were: (a) JET, (b) TRIM, (c) PROTEMP. The fibers used in this study were STICK (Glass fiber preimpregnated), POLYDENTIA (Glass fiber nonpreimpregnated), RIBBOND (Polyethylene fiber). The specimens were tested by three-point bending test and the flexural strength and modulus of elasticity were recorded. The data of each resin type were analyzed by analysis of variance using a significance level of 0.05 to determine the mean differences.

RESULTS

The integration of reinforcing fibers in the mass of resins for provisional restorations increased both the flexural strength and the modulus of elasticity in all tested combinations compared to control groups. After the three-point bending test, the specimens were not completely fractured and the parts remained together due to the fibers.

CONCLUSIONS

Fiber reinforcement is an effective method to increase mechanical properties of provisional restorative resins. Reinforcement with fibers enhances the flexural strength and the modulus of elasticity of the specimens compared to unreinforced (control) group.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The reinforcement of resin materials used for provisional restorations with fibers can increase mechanical strength and may improve the clinical performance and the longevity of provisional restorations during their clinical function.

Replacement of a Missing Maxillary Central Incisor Using a Direct Fiber-Reinforced Fixed Dental Prosthesis: A Case Report

The use of the direct fiber-reinforced fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) restorative technique presented in this article will result in an ideal restoration considering both esthetics and function in a single appointment. Although indirect techniques are available and may be used, they are time-consuming, resulting in higher cost; therefore, a simplified approach combining a prebonded fiber-reinforced mesh with a sculptable micro-hybrid composite will deliver an acceptable esthetic result with proper function.

A review of the success and failure characteristics of resin-bonded bridges

OBJECTIVES

This literature review was designed to assess and compare the success rates and modes of failure of metal-framed, fibre-reinforced composite and all-ceramic resin-bonded bridges.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

A Medline search (Ovid), supplemented by hand searching, was conducted to identify prospective and retrospective cohort studies on different resin-bonded bridges within the last 16 years. A total of 49 studies met the pre-set inclusion criteria. Success rates of 25 studies on metal-framed, 17 studies on fibre-reinforced composite and 7 studies on all-ceramic resin-bonded bridges were analysed and characteristics of failures were identified.

RESULTS

The analysis of the studies indicated an estimation of annual failure rates per year to be 4.6% (±1.3%, 95% CI) for metal-framed, 4.1% (±2.1%, 95% CI) for fibre-reinforced and 11.7% (±1.8%, 95% CI) for all-ceramic resin-bonded bridges. The most frequent complications were: debonding for metal-framed, resin-bonded bridges (93% of all failures); delamination of the composite veneering material for the fibre-reinforced bridges (41%) and fracture of the framework for the all-ceramic bridges (57%).

CONCLUSIONS

All types of resin-bonded bridges provide an effective short- to medium-term option, with all-ceramic performing least well and having the least favourable mode of failure. The methods of failures were different for different bridges with metal frameworks performing the best over time.

Flexural strength of glass and polyethylene fiber combined with three different composites

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The flexure of the fiber- reinforced composites (FRC) which can be generally used instead of fixed metal- framework prostheses have been more advocated due to the enormous demands for the conservative and esthetic restoration. The flexure of the fiber should be well-fitted to its covering composite. No study has been reported the comparison of the combination of glass and polyethylene fiber with particulate filled composite and fiber reinforced composite yet.

PURPOSE

This study compared the flexural strength of two types of fibers combined with three types of composites.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Sixty-six specimens were prepared in a split mold (25×2×2 mm). The specimens were divided into six groups according to the type of resin and the fiber (N = 11): group 1: Z250 composite + Polyethylene fiber; group 2: Build It composite + Polyethylene fiber; group 3: Nulite F composite+ Polyethylene fiber; group 4: glass fiber + Z250 composite; group 5: glass fiber + Build-It composite and group 6: glass fiber + Nulite F. The mean flexural strengths (MPa) values were determined in a 3-point bending test at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min by a universal testing machine (Zwick/Roell Z020, Germany). The results were statistically analyzed, using one and two- way ANOVA and LSD post-hoc tests (p< 0.05).

RESULTS

The highest flexural strength was registered for glass fiber in combination with Z250 composite (500 MPa) and the lowest for polyethylene fiber in combination with Build-It composite (188 MPa). One-way ANOVA test revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between polyethylene fiber combinations (p= 0.62) but there was a significant difference between glass fiber combinations (p= 0.0001). Two-way ANOVA revealed that the fiber type had a significant effect on flexural strength (p= 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The choice of fiber and composite type was shown to have a significant positive influence on the flexural properties of the fiber-reinforced composite. Glass fiber has a significant influence on the flexural properties of directly- made specimens.

An evaluation of fracture resistance of interim fixed partial denture fabricated using polymethylmethacrylate and reinforced by different fibres for its optimal placement: an in vitro study

BACKGROUND

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is the most common material used to fabricate interim fixed partial denture (FPD). Several attempts have been made to improve fracture strength of this material with various methods of reinforcement, but its effect on the fracture resistance of interim FPD was not evaluated.

METHOD

The study was designed in two stages. In the first stage various methods of reinforcement (glass fibre, polyethylene, combination of glass and polyethylene, and stainless steel) for interim FPD of PMMA were used and its effect on the fracture resistance of interim FPD was evaluated by three point bending test using universal testing machine. In the second stage, fibres which showed the highest fracture resistance value was used to ascertain the most appropriate site of placement for reinforcing interim FPD. Comparisons were made with analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Stainless steel and glass fibres showed significantly higher fracture resistance value than polyethylene alone or mixed with glass fibres (P < 0.001). Fibre placement in the occlusal third region of the pontic resulted in higher fracture resistance than the other locations (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There was a definite improvement in the fracture resistance after reinforcement with fibres and stainless steel. The occlusal third region of the pontic is the most appropriate site of placement for reinforcement in interim FPD.

Fixed partial dentures in an up to 8-year follow-up

Information on the longevity of fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial dentures (inlay FPDs) should be considered in the selection of materials, operative techniques and patient instructions related to prognosis and long-term cost-effectiveness.

Different clinical applications of bondable reinforcement ribbond in pediatric dentistry

Ribbond is a bondable, biocompatible, esthetic, translucent and easy-to-use reinforced ribbon. By virtue of its wide spectrum of intended properties, it enjoys various applications in clinical dentistry. This case report demonstrates usage of Ribbond as a space maintainer, a fixed partial denture with a natural tooth pontic, an endodontic post and cores and a splint material in children. Ribbond can be used as an alternative to conventional treatment in pediatric dentistry.