EVALUATION OF POSTERIOR FIXED FUNCTIONAL SPACE MAINTAINERS MADE OF FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITE: AN IN VITRO STUDY

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant lecturer in Pediatric and Community Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Minia University.

2 Professor in Pediatric and Community Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Minia University.

Abstract

Background: Fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) space maintainer is proving to give solutions for the limitations encountered with the conventional band and loop space maintainer. However, the longevity of FRC is a controversial aspect.
Aim of the study: Evaluation of the reinforcing effects of glass fibers on the flexural strength of composite resin.
Materials and Methods: Three groups of specimens were prepared using a white Teflon split mold; a control group of composite resin bars, one glass fiber reinforced composite bars and two glass fiber reinforced composite bars. Mean flexural strength values in mega Pascal (MPa) were determined in a 3-point bending test.
Results: A significant difference in mean flexural strength between the three groups was found.
Conclusions: Flexural strength of composite resins improved with incorporation of glass fibers, and increasing fiber volume led to substantial improvement in the flexural strength.

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