Effect of Fiber Reinforcement on the Flexural Strength of Long-Span, 3D-Printed, Interim Fixed Dental Prostheses.

PURPOSE: To inspect the impact of polyethylene fiber (Ribbond) on long-span 3D-printed interim fixed dental prostheses regarding fracture strength.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A stainless steel platform was fabricated to replicate the partial edentulism for a maxillary four-unit fixed dental prosthesis. Prostheses were fabricated with a Formlabs SLA 3D printer. The specimens were allocated into four groups of 20 each: experimental reinforced Group A (prosthesis with a slot reinforced with fiber); experimental Group B (prosthesis with a slot filled with 3D-printed material), negative control Group C (prosthesis with a slot); and control Group D (full-contour prosthesis). Fracture strength exams were performed with a universal tester. The fracture patterns were examined. A statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test.

RESULTS

The control group exhibited a significantly higher mean flexural load (D: 306.32 ± 50.76 N) compared to the other groups (A: 194.37 ± 68.02 N; B: 178.25 ± 42.67 N; and C: 156.68 ± 29.73 N; P < .001). No differences were identified among Groups A, B, and C. The fracture pattern differed between the nonreinforced Groups B, C, and D and reinforced Group A, with catastrophic failure observed in the nonreinforced group and unseparated failure observed in the reinforced group.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings demonstrate that the incorporation of Ribbond in 3D-printed interim fixed dental prostheses does not significantly enhance their fracture strength. However, it does lead to a noticeable change in the fracture behavior, shifting from a complete failure to an incomplete fracture pattern.