title: Mechanical properties and ultrastructural characteristics of a glass fiber-reinforced composite.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the ultrastructural characteristics of a fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) and its behavior in vitro as a framework for fixed partial dentures (FPDs).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 40 specimens were prepared using extracted teeth fixed in methacrylate blocks as supports for the FPD, then the specimens were divided into four groups depending on whether a retaining box was used to fix the FPD to the support teeth, and on whether a composite pontic was assembled on top of the fibers. Fracture testing was performed in a universal testing machine (1 mm/minute). Fracture strength values and failure types were statistically compared for each group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using retaining boxes did not improve the mechanical behavior of the restorative system. The weakest element of the system was the composite tooth constructed on top of the FRC.
authors.forename: Alvaro Enrique
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: García Barbero
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vera González
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: García Barbero
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aliaga Vera
mesh_terms: D000134:Acid Etching, Dental / Q000379:methods; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D001840:Dental Bonding; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation; D003779:Denture Design; D003781:Denture Retention; D016379:Denture, Partial, Fixed, Resin-Bonded; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D055115:Light-Curing of Dental Adhesives / Q000379:methods; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; C509998:Grandio; C009753:fiberglass