Influence of different glass fiber reinforcements on denture base polymer strength (Fiber reinforcements of dental polymer)

Abstract

Aim Assessment of flexural strength values of dental base polymersreinforced with different glass fibers (“dental” and “industrial”origin) after performed artificial ageing procedures.Methods Three hundred specimens (dimensions 18 x 10 x 3 mm)were produced of denture base polymers reinforced with differentglass fibers. The “short beam” testing method was used to determinethe flexural strength of the specimens after polymerization,immersion in water of temperature 37oC for 28 days, and thermocycling.Results Flexural strength of the polymer specimens was 91.76-122.75 MPa, while specimens reinforced with glass fibers demonstratedrise of flexural strength values (103.10-163.88 MPa), nomatter which type (“dental” or “industrial”) of fibers was used.Microscopic examination revealed partial bonding between theglass fibers and polymer material.Conclusion Both of the investigated glass fibers had similarstrengthening effect, but due to better investment/benefit ratio “industrial”glass fibers could be recommended for dental laboratoryuse. Prolonged polymerization of denture base materials shouldbe proposed because it had direct impact on the improvement offlexural strength values.

Keywords

• dental materials
• polymers
• glass fibers
• dental prosthesis
• mechanical phenomena