Comparison of load-bearing capacity of direct resin-bonded fiber-reinforced composite FPDs with four framework designs.
OBJECTIVE
This in vitro study was aimed to compare the fracture resistance of directly fabricated inlay-retained fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) fixed partial dentures (FPDs) with four types of framework designs.


METHODS
Forty-eight directly fabricated inlay retained FPDs were made of FRC and particulate resin composite (everStick/Tetric flow and Ceram). Extracted human mandibular first premolars and first molars were as abutments. The following framework designs were tested: in the Group A (control group), the framework was made of two prepregs of unidirectional glass FRC; the Group B, two prepregs in pontic portion were covered with one layer of multidirectional fiber veil FRC; the Group C, the FRC prepregs were covered in pontic portion with four short unidirectional FRC pieces along the main prepregs; in Group D, one short unidirectional FRC prepregs were placed on the main prepregs in 90 degrees angle to the main framework. After thermal cycling, FPDs of each group (n=12) were randomly divided into two subgroups (n=6). Fracture test was performed at the universal testing machine (1mm/min) where FPDs were loaded from the occlusal direction to the occlusal fossa or to the buccal cusp. Failure patterns were observed with stereomicroscope. Median and 25%/75% percentile values were calculated and nonparametric analysis was performed.


RESULTS
Compared with three other framework designs, the FPDs in Group D showed the highest resistance when loading to the occlusal fossa, with maximum load of 2,353.8N (25%/75%: 2,155.5/2,500.0) (p=0.000, 0.000, and 0.005 for compared with Group A, B, and C). The same group showed also higher resistance when loaded to the buccal cusp (1,416.3N (1,409.2/1,480.8)) if compared to the FPDs of the Group A and Group C (p=0.044, 0.010). In general the FPDs showed higher resistant to loading at the occlusal fossa (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This in vitro study showed that inlay-retained FRC FPD constructed with direct technique provided high fracture resistance. The framework design that provided support for the veneering composite of the pontic contributed to the highest load-bearing capacity even when loaded to the buccal cusp.
Xie
Qiufei
Q
Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Peking University, Haidian District, Beijing, China. xieqiuf@163.com
Lassila
Lippo V J
LV
Vallittu
Pekka K
PK
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D003779:Denture Design / Q000379:methods*; D016379:Denture, Partial, Fixed, Resin-Bonded; D006801:Humans; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D016474:Weight-Bearing
D000180:Acrylic Resins; C029012:Composite Dental Resin; D003188:Composite Resins; D011140:Polyurethanes