Laboratory and clinical evaluation of polymer materials reinforced by fibers used in dentistry

R. Brożek, R. Koczorowski, B. Dorocka-Bobkowska

Department of Geriatric Dentistry and Oral Pathology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. broz@ump.edu.pl

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• Dentistry

OBJECTIVE: Fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) because of high strength and a low mass can be widely applied in many fields of dentistry.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The types of fibers commonly used in dentistry with the description of physicochemical properties of the reinforcing phase and polymer resin, are specified. The influence of the method of fiber positioning in the sample, their diameter, length and shape of fibers visible in cross-section on the strength of the FRC material, are underlined. The work also paid attention to the volume of the material that occurs as a result of the absorption of water from the oral environment and changes in bonding between matrix and fiber.

RESULTS: The clinical procedures and a description of failures that may possibly happen in the oral cavity presented in the work, confirm that they allow fabrication of minimally invasive, lightweight, durable and biocompatible materials. At the moment, the only material group that can be used by direct technique to reach high load-bearing capacity restorations is FRC.

CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment effectiveness makes FRCs an alternative to prosthetic restorations whose retention is obtained only as a result of mechanically interlocking to the abutment tooth. The use of FRCs in clinical dentistry is part of value-based medicine.

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