title: Biological and mechanical characterization of carbon fiber frameworks for dental implant applications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to investigate the biocompatibility and mechanical characteristics of dental implant frameworks made of carbon fiber composite.
  
  
  METHODS
  The biocompatibility of intact samples and fragments was evaluated by cell count and MTT test according to EN-ISO 10993-5:2009 directions. Destructive and non-destructive mechanical tests were performed in order to evaluate: porosity, static and dynamic elastic modulus of carbon fiber samples. These tests were conducted on different batches of samples manufactured by different dental technicians. The samples were evaluated by optical microscope and by SEM. A compression test was performed to compare complete implant-supported fixed dentures, provided with a metal or carbon fiber framework.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Carbon fiber intact and fragmented samples showed optimal biocompatibility. Manufacture technique strongly influenced the mechanical characteristics of fiber-reinforced composite materials. The implant-supported full-arch fixed denture provided with a carbon fiber framework, showed a yield strength comparable to the implant-supported full-arch fixed denture, provided with a metal framework.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carbon fiber-reinforced composites demonstrated optimal biocompatibility and mechanical characteristics. They appear suitable for the fabrication of frameworks for implant-supported full-arch dentures. Great attention must be paid to manufacture technique as it strongly affects the material mechanical characteristics.
authors: Implant and Prosthetic Dentistry Unit, University of Genoa, Ospedale S. Martino (pad. 4), L. Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Menini
authors: Implant and Prosthetic Dentistry Unit, University of Genoa, Ospedale S. Martino (pad. 4), L. Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy. Electronic address: paolo.pesce@unige.it.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Pesce
authors: Implant and Prosthetic Dentistry Unit, University of Genoa, Ospedale S. Martino (pad. 4), L. Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Pera
authors: Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Genoa, Via Montallegro, 1-16145 Genoa, Italy.
authors: Fabrizio
authors: F
authors: Barberis
authors: Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Genoa, Via Montallegro, 1-16145 Genoa, Italy.
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Lagazzo
authors: Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Genoa, Via Montallegro, 1-16145 Genoa, Italy.
authors: Ludovica
authors: L
authors: Bertola
authors: Implant and Prosthetic Dentistry Unit, University of Genoa, Ospedale S. Martino (pad. 4), L. Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Pera
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D002452:Cell Count; D002460:Cell Line; D019245:Compressive Strength; D015921:Dental Implants; D003778:Dentures; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D007834:Lasers; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D051379:Mice; D016062:Porosity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D015921:Dental Implants; D002244:Carbon; D006046:Gold
keywords: Carbon fiber reinforced composite (CFRC); Dental implants; Framework