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

Shear-bond strength and optical properties of short fiber-reinforced CAD/CAM composite blocks

The aim of this study was to assess the shear-bond strength (SBS) of resin-luting cement to experimental short fiber-reinforced CAD/CAM composite (SFRC) compared to conventional CAD/CAM (Cerasmart 270), 3D printed (GC TEMP PRINT, Pro3dure GR-17), and laboratory (Gradia Plus) composites. Moreover, translucency parameter values and light transmission were evaluated. For each of the five types of composites, discs were prepared (n = 16/group) and divided into subgroups (n = 8/group) according to surface treatment protocol (hydrofluoric acid or air-particle abrasion). SBS test was performed using universal testing machine until failure, and failure modes were visually analyzed. Translucency parameter and curing-light transmission values through 1, 2, and 3 mm thickness were quantified using spectrophotometry and the MARC resin calibrator, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the CAD/CAM composites after surface treatment. Composite type and surface treatment had a significant effect on SBS. Laboratory composite showed the highest SBS value (22.4 MPa). Cerasmart 270 exhibited higher translucency parameter values (19.8, 11.0, 5.0) than SFRC (14.5, 5.2, 1.6) at the three composite thicknesses tested. Air-particle abrasion was more effective in enhancing SBS than acid etching. Experimental SFRC CAD/CAM composite showed higher SBS values than Cerasmart 270. For all composites, translucency parameter values and light transmission decreased as thickness increased.</p

Influence of Short Fiber Reinforced Composites on Fracture Resistance of Single-Structure Restorations

ObjectiveThe aim was to determine the load-bearing capacity of anterior crowns prepared using two types of single-structure short fibre-reinforced composites (SFRCs). Furthermore, fracture toughness (FT), flexural strength (FS) and flexural modulus (FM) of tested composites were measured.MethodsSeven groups of composite crowns were designed for an upper central incisor (n=8/group). Two groups were CAD/CAM fabricated made of Cerasmart 270 and experimental single-structure SFRC blocks. Two groups were 3D-printed made of GC Temp PRINT and Pro3dure GR-17 composites. Two groups were made of conventional light-cured composites (Essentia and Gradia Plus). The last group was a single-structure SFRC made of commercial flowable SFRC (everX Flow). Crown restorations were loaded until fracture. Failure-modes were then visually examined. FT, FS and FM were determined for each tested composite (n=8). The data were analysed using analysis of variance (p=0.05) followed by Tukey's post-hoc test.ResultsANOVA revealed that crowns made of experimental SFRC blocks had significantly higher load-bearing capacities (1650 ±230 N) (p⟨0.05) among all the groups tested. Experimental SFRC blocks exhibited the highest FT (2.9 MPa m1/2) and FS (245.8 MPa) values (p⟨0.05) among tested composites.ConclusionCAD/CAM fabricated restorations made of experimental SFRC blocks demonstrated encouraging performance related to their fracture-behaviour.</p

Fracture behavior of discontinuous fiber-reinforced composite inlay-retained fixed partial denture before and after fatigue aging

Purpose: To evaluate the fracture behavior of inlay-retained fixed partial dentures (IRFPDs) made of experimental short fiber-reinforced composite (SFRC) computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) block before and after cyclic fatigue aging.Methods: Five groups (n=20/group) of three-unit posterior IRFPDs were fabricated. The first and second groups were CAD/CAM fabricated from experimental SFRC blocks or lithium-disilicate (IPS e.max CAD, IVOCLAR) materials, the third group comprised a three-dimensional-printed composite (Temp PRINT, GC), and the fourth and fifth groups comprised conventional laboratory flowable composite (Gradia Plus, GC) and commercial flowable SFRC (everX Flow, GC), respectively. All IRFPDs were luted into a metal jig with adhesive dual-cure resin cement (RelyX Ultimate, 3M ESPE). Half the IRFPDs per group (n=10) were subjected to fatigue aging for 10,000 cycles. The remaining half were statically loaded until fracture without fatigue aging. The load was applied vertically between triangular ridges of the buccal and lingual cusps. The fracture mode was visually examined using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were statistically analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's HSD test.Results: ANOVA revealed that IRFPDs made of experimental SFRC CAD/CAM had the highest (pp>0.05) of all tested prostheses, except for the experimental SFRC CAD/CAM and conventional laboratory composite IRFPDs (p>0.05). SEM images showed the ability of discontinuous short fibers in the experimental SFRC CAD/CAM composite to redirect and hinder crack propagation.Conclusion: CAD/CAM-fabricated IRFPDs made of experimental SFRC blocks showed promising performance in clinical testing in terms of fracture behavior.</p

Short Fiber Reinforced Composite – a New Alternative for Direct Onlay Restorations

OBJECTIVES:To determine the static load-bearing capacity of direct composite onlay restorations made of novel filling composite resin system which combines short fiber-reinforced composite resin (FC) and conventional particulate filler composite resin (PFC).METHODS:Three groups of onlay restorations were fabricated (n = 8/group); Group A: made from conventional particulate filler composite resin (Z250, 3M-ESPE, USA, control), Group B: made from short fiber-reinforced composite resin (EverX posterior, StickTeck Ltd, member of GC group, Turku, Finland) as substructure with 1 mm surface layer of PFC, Group C: made from FC composite resin. The specimens were incrementally polymerized with a hand-light curing unit for 80 s before they were statically loaded with two different sizes (3 & 6 mm) of steel ball until fracture. Failure modes were visually examined. Data were analyzed using ANOVA (p = 0.05).RESULTS:ANOVA revealed that onlay restorations made from FC composite resin had statistically significantly higher load-bearing capacity (1733 N) ( p SIGNIFICANCE:Onlay restorations combining base of short fiber reinforced composite resin as substructure and surface layer of conventional composite resin displayed promising performance in high load bearing areas.</p

Effect of Fiber Reinforcement Type on the Performance of Large Posterior Restorations: A Review of In Vitro Studies

To reinforce extensively prepared cavities, different types of fiber reinforcement are utilized. Polyethylene and glass fibers are the most commonly used fibers in that purpose; each type has its own advantages over the other type. Therefore, the aim of this study is to review the literature to evaluate and compare the influence of different fiber reinforcement types on the performance of posterior large composite restorations. Two independent authors performed a comprehensive literature search using MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, and a manual search for cross references until July 2021. Authors selected only studies that contain comparisons between glass (continuous or short) and polyethylene (woven) fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) in posterior cavities of human teeth, and that report the effect of fiber inclusion on fracture resistance, microleakage, and marginal adaptation of restorations. A number of 2711 potentially relevant articles were obtained from the electronic search. After extensive assessment, 2696 articles were ineligible to be included in the review, and only 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. Four out of nine studies, which tested the fracture resistance of FRC restorations, revealed similar performance of the glass and polyethylene fibers. The rest of the studies (n = 5) revealed statistically significant differences between the two types of fiber reinforcement, with the majority showed superior reinforcement of glass fiber. Moreover, the reviewed studies revealed that, using fibers within the composite restorations would reduce the microleakage and improve the marginal adaptation of the restoration regardless of the fiber type. FRCs tend to strengthen the restorations of structurally compromised teeth and improve their performance compared to plain composite restorations.</p

Effect of Fiber Reinforcement Type on the Performance of Large Posterior Restorations: A Review of In Vitro Studies

To reinforce extensively prepared cavities, different types of fiber reinforcement are utilized. Polyethylene and glass fibers are the most commonly used fibers in that purpose; each type has its own advantages over the other type. Therefore, the aim of this study is to review the literature to evaluate and compare the influence of different fiber reinforcement types on the performance of posterior large composite restorations. Two independent authors performed a comprehensive literature search using MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, and a manual search for cross references until July 2021. Authors selected only studies that contain comparisons between glass (continuous or short) and polyethylene (woven) fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) in posterior cavities of human teeth, and that report the effect of fiber inclusion on fracture resistance, microleakage, and marginal adaptation of restorations. A number of 2711 potentially relevant articles were obtained from the electronic search. After extensive assessment, 2696 articles were ineligible to be included in the review, and only 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. Four out of nine studies, which tested the fracture resistance of FRC restorations, revealed similar performance of the glass and polyethylene fibers. The rest of the studies (n = 5) revealed statistically significant differences between the two types of fiber reinforcement, with the majority showed superior reinforcement of glass fiber. Moreover, the reviewed studies revealed that, using fibers within the composite restorations would reduce the microleakage and improve the marginal adaptation of the restoration regardless of the fiber type. FRCs tend to strengthen the restorations of structurally compromised teeth and improve their performance compared to plain composite restorations