Resin-Bonded Fiber-Reinforced Composite for Direct Replacement of Missing Anterior Teeth: A Clinical Report

Missing anterior teeth is of serious concern in the social life of a patient in most of societies. While conventional fixed partial dentures and implant-supported restorations may often be the treatment of choice, fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) resins offer a conservative, fast, and cost-effective alternative for single and multiple teeth replacement. This paper presents two cases where FRC technology was successfully used to restore anterior edentulous areas in terms of esthetic values and functionality

Three-dimensional finite element analysis of anterior two-unit cantilever resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different framework materials on biomechanical behaviour of anterior two-unit cantilever resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDPs). A three-dimensional finite element model of a two-unit cantilever RBFDP replacing amaxillary lateral incisorwas created. Five frameworkmaterialswere evaluated: direct fibre-reinforced composite (FRC-Z250), indirect fibre-reinforced composite (FRC-ES), gold alloy (M), glass ceramic (GC), and zirconia (ZI). Finite element analysis was performed and stress distribution was evaluated. A similar stress pattern, with stress concentrations in the connector area, was observed in RBFDPs for all materials.Maximal principal stress showed a decreasing order: ZI >M>GC> FRC-ES > FRCZ250. The maximum displacement of RBFDPs was higher for FRC-Z250 and FRC-ES than for M, GC, and ZI. FE analysis depicted differences in location of the maximum stress at the luting cement interface between materials. For FRC-Z250 and FRC-ES, the maximum stress was located in the upper part of the proximal area of the retainer, whereas, for M, GC, and ZI, the maximum stress was located at the cervical outline of the retainer. The present study revealed differences in biomechanical behaviour between all RBFDPs.The general observation was that a RBFDP made of FRC provided a more favourable stress distribution

Biomechanical behavior of cavity configuration on micropush-out test : a finite-element-study

Objective: The objective of this study was to simulate the micropush-out bond strength test from a biomechanical point of view. For this purpose, stress analysis using finite element (FE) method was performed. Study design: Three different occlusal cavity shapes were simulated in disc specimens (model A: 1.5 mm cervical, 2 mm occlusal diameter; model B: 1.5 mm cervical, 1.75 mm occlusal diameter; model C: 1.5 mm cervical, 1.5 mm occlusal diameter). Quarter sizes of 3D FE specimen models of 4.0×4.0×1.25 mm3 were constructed. In order to avoid quantitative differences in the stress value in the models, models were derived from a single mapping mesh pattern that generated 47.182 elements and 66.853 nodes. The materials that were used were resin composite (Filtek Z250, 3M ESPE), bonding agent (Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose, 3M ESPE) and dentin as an isotropic material. Loading conditions consisted of subjecting a press of 4 MPa to the top of the resin composite discs. The postprocessing files allowed the calculation of the maximum principal stress, minimum principal stress and displacement within the disc specimens and stresses at the bonding layer. FE model construction and analysis were performed on PC workstation (Precision Work Station 670, Dell Inc.) using FE analysis program (ANSYS 10 Sp, ANSYS Inc.). Results: Compressive stress concentrations were observed equally in the bottom interface edge of dentin. Tensile stresses were observed on the top area of dentin and at the half of lower side of composite under the loading point in all of the FE models. Conclusions: The FE model revealed differences in displacement and stress between different cavity shaped disc specimens. As the slope of the cavity was increased, the maximum displacement, compressive and tensile stresses also increased

The Effect of Exposed Glass Fibers and Particles of Bioactive Glass on the Surface Wettability of Composite Implants

Measurement of the wettability of a material is a predictive index of cytocompatibility. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of exposed E-glass fibers and bioactive glass (BAG) particles on the surface wettability behavior of composite implants. Two different groups were investigated: (a) fiber reinforced composites (FRCs) with different fiber orientations and (b) polymer composites with different wt. % of BAG particles. Photopolymerized and heat postpolymerized composite substrates were made for both groups. The surface wettability, topography, and roughness were analyzed. Equilibrium contact angles were measured using the sessile drop method. Three liquids were used as a probe for surface free energy (SFE) calculations. SFE values were calculated from contact angles obtained on smooth surfaces. The surface with transverse distribution of fibers showed higher (P < 0.001) polar (γP) and total SFE (γTOT) components (16.9 and 51.04 mJ/m2, resp.) than the surface with in-plane distribution of fibers (13.77 and 48.27 mJ/m2, resp.). The increase in BAG particle wt. % increased the polar (γP) value, while the dispersive (γD) value decreased. Postpolymerization by heat treatment improved the SFE components on all the surfaces investigated (P < 0.001). Composites containing E-glass fibers and BAG particles are hydrophilic materials that show good wettability characteristics

Impact of Fast High-Intensity versus Conventional Light-Curing Protocol on Selected Properties of Dental Composites

To study the influence of fast high-intensity (3-s) and conventional (20-s) light curing protocols on certain physical properties including light-transmission and surface wear of two nano-hybrid composite resins (Tetric PowerFill and Essentia U) specifically designed for both curing protocols. According to ISO standards, the following properties were investigated: flexural properties, fracture toughness and water sorption/solubility. FTIR-spectrometry was used to calculate the double bond conversion (DC%). A wear test using a chewing simulator was performed with 15,000 chewing cycles. A tensilometer was used to measure the shrinkage stress. Light transmission through various thicknesses (1, 2, 3 and 4 mm) of composite resins was quantified. The Vickers indenter was utilized for evaluating surface microhardness (VH) at the top and the bottom sides. Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to investigate the microstructure of each composite resin. The light curing protocol did not show a significant (p > 0.05) effect on the mechanical properties of tested composite resins and differences were material-dependent. Shrinkage stress, DC% and VH of both composite resins significantly increased with the conventional 20 s light curing protocol (p </p

Comparative evaluation between glass and polyethylene fiber reinforced composites : a review of the current literature

Fiber reinforced composite (FRC) is a promising class of material that gives clinicians alternative treatment options. There are many FRC products available in the market based on either glass or polyethylene fiber type. The aim of this study was to present a comparison between glass and polyethylene fiber reinforced composites based on available literature review. A thorough literature search, with no limitation, was done up to June 2017. The range of relevant publications was surveyed using PubMed and Google Scholar. From the search results, articles related to our search terms were only considered. An assessment of these articles was done by two individuals in order to include only articles directly compare between glass and polyethylene FRCs. The search terms used were ?fiber reinforced dental composites? and ?glass and polyethylene fibers in dentistry?. The search provided 276 titles. Full-text analysis was performed for 29 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Most were laboratory-based research with various test specimen designs prepared according to ISO standard or with extracted teeth and only three articles were clinical studies. Most of studies (n=23) found superior characteristics of glass FRCs over polyethylene FRCs. Significant reinforcement differences between commercial glass and polyethylene fiber reinforced composites were found