title: In vitro mechanical testing of glass fiber-reinforced composite used as dental implants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the design of fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) on some mechanical properties of a dental implant.
  
  
  METHODS
  FRC implants were fabricated using different polymerization conditions and designs of the glass-fiber structure. Specimens were tested with a cantilever bending test and a torsional test. The degree of monomer conversion (DC%) was measured using a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical analysis showed significant differences between groups revealing mean fracture load values from 437 N to 1461 N. The mean torsional force in fracture varied from 0.01 to 1.66 Nm. The DC% varied from 50% to 90%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests by modifying the polymerization conditions and fiber orientation of FRC implants, the biomechanical properties of an FRC can be tailored to the needs of dental implants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics and Biomaterials of the Institute of Dentistry at the University of Turku in Turku Finland. ahmbal@utu.fi
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ballo
authors.forename: Lippo V J
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Lassila
authors.forename: Timo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Narhi
authors.forename: Pekka K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Vallittu
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D004548:Elasticity; D005898:Glass; D008422:Materials Testing; D044367:Phase Transition; D018583:Pliability; D033081:Shear Strength; D054159:Torsion, Mechanical
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; D015921:Dental Implants; C009753:fiberglass