RESUMO
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effect of glass fiber pre-impregnated with light-curing resin on the fracture strength and fracture modes of a maxillary complete denture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Maxillary acrylic resin complete dentures reinforced with glass fiber pre-impregnated with light-curing resin (SES MESH, INNO Dental Co., Yeoncheon-gun, Korea) and without reinforcement were tested. The reinforcing material was embedded in the denture base resin and placed different regions (Control, without reinforcement; Group A, center of anterior ridge; Group B, rugae area; Group C, center of palate; Group D, full coverage of denture base). The fracture strength and fracture modes of a maxillary complete denture were tested using Instron test machine (Instron Co., Canton, MA, USA) at a 5.0 mm/min crosshead speed. The flexure load was applied to center of denture with a 20 mm diameter ball attachment. When fracture occurred, the fracture mode was classified based on fracture lines. The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA at the significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: There were non-significant differences (P>.05) in the fracture strength among test groups. Group A showed anteroposterior fracture and posterior fracture mainly, group B, C and control group showed partial fracture on center area mostly. Most specimen of group D showed posterior fracture. CONCLUSION: The location and presence of the fiber reinforcement did not affect the fracture strength of maxillary complete denture. However, reinforcing acrylic resin denture with glass fiber has a tendency to suppress the crack.