Fracture behavior of pontics of fiber-reinforced composite fixed dental prostheses.

To evaluate the load-bearing capacities and failure mechanisms of FRC FDPs using shell-shaped acrylic denture teeth as pontics with different composite resins as filling materials. Eighty-four inlay-retained FDPs with FRC frameworks were made using shell-shaped posterior artificial teeth as pontics. Different composite resins were used as filling materials to complete the shape of the pontics. Four groups (n=21/group) were formed based on the filling material. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups and tested at 90º and 30°. Each FDP was statically loaded from the pontic until the final fracture. ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences in the load-bearing capacities according to filling material, angle and storage (p<0.01). The fracture propagated from the fiber-rich part of the pontic towards the occlusal surface of the FDP. The filling material influenced the load-bearing capacities of FRC FDPs with shell-shaped denture teeth used as pontics.

Penetration depth of monomer systems into acrylic resin denture teeth used as pontics.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The ways of softening and dissolving the surface of acrylic resin denture teeth need to be specified to obtain more durable prosthetic treatments that include resin denture teeth. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the penetration depth of 4 monomer systems applied during different exposure times on the acrylic resin denture teeth used as pontics of directly fabricated fiber-reinforced composite fixed dental prostheses. The penetration depth contributes to the adhesion of the tooth to the adhesive resin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-six specimens were divided into 3 groups according to the acrylic resin denture tooth used: Artic 8 (Heraeus Kultzer), experimental tooth (GC), and Vitapan (Vita). Each group was divided into 4 subgroups according to the monomer system used: methylmethacrylate (99%), composite primer, a flowable composite resin, and a photopolymerizing dimethacrylate resin. The 4 monomer systems were labeled with rhodamine B to determine their penetration depth into the acrylic resin denture teeth. After exposure times of 1, 5, 15, and 60 minutes, the monomers were photopolymerized for 5 minutes, with the exception of methylmethacrylate. The specimens were cut orthogonally from gingival to occlusal in 4 slices (n=8/subgroup). The penetration depths of monomers were measured by a confocal scanning type microscope. Differences in the penetration depths were evaluated with ANOVA. RESULTS: ANOVA (R(2)=.699) revealed significant differences in the penetration depths according to the exposure times (P<.001), monomers (P<.001), brands used (P=.047), and their mutual interaction (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The ability of monomers to penetrate the surface of acrylic resin denture teeth was influenced by the monomer systems, which might improve the bond between the pontics and the fiber-reinforced composite frameworks of fixed dental prostheses.

Monomer priming of denture teeth and its effects on the bond strength of composite resin.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The bond strength of acrylic resin denture teeth used as pontics in fiber-reinforced composite fixed dental prostheses needs to be improved. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of various chemical surface-conditioning monomers on the ridge-lap surface of acrylic resin denture teeth by determining the strength of their bonding to a composite resin and changes in surface hardness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Acrylic resin denture teeth of 2 different brands (Artic 8 and Vitapan Cuspiform) (n=120) were tested. Four monomer systems were used as surface primers (conditioning): a flowable composite resin, methylmethacrylate 99%, composite primer, and a photopolymerizable dimethacrylate resin. Five surface-conditioning exposure times were used: no conditioning, 1, 5, 15, and 60 minutes. Surface microhardness measurements were made after the application of the monomer systems. Shear bond strength tests were subsequently performed, followed by a new surface microhardness indentation after the application of the load. The evaluation of the changes on specimen surfaces was performed with a scanning electron microscope. The differences between the shear bond strength and the surface hardness were evaluated for statistical significance by using a 3-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Tooth brand, monomer used, exposure time, and their 2- and 3-way interactions had a significant effect on the shear bond strength and hardness before and after testing, except for the 3-way interaction effect on hardness before testing. CONCLUSIONS: The chemical pretreatment of the ridge-lap surface of acrylic resin denture teeth increased the shear bond strength and influenced the surface hardness. The monomer systems caused dissolution on the denture surfaces.

Fiber-reinforced composite fixed dental prostheses with various pontics.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the load-bearing capacities of fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) fixed dental prostheses (FDP) with pontics of various materials and thicknesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inlay preparations for retaining FDPs were made in a polymer phantom model. Seventy-two FDPs with frameworks made of continuous unidirectional glass fibers (everStick C&B) were fabricated. Three different pontic materials were used: glass ceramics, polymer denture teeth, and composite resin. The FDPs were divided into 3 categories based on the occlusal thicknesses of the pontics (2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, and 4.0 mm). The framework's vertical positioning varied respectively. Each pontic material category contained 3 groups (n = 8/group). In group 1, pontics were fabricated conventionally with composite resin (G-ӕnial, GC) with one additional transversal fiber reinforcement. In group 2, the pontics were polymer denture teeth (Heraeus- Kulzer). Group 3 had an IPS-Empress CAD pontic (Ivoclar Vivadent) milled using a Cerec CAD/CAM unit. Groups 1 and 2 served as controls. Each FDP was statically loaded from the pontic until initial fracture (IF) and final fracture (FF). Initial-fracture data were collected from the load-deflection graph. RESULTS: ANOVA indicated statistically significant differences between the materials and occlusal thicknesses (p < 0.001). Quadratic analysis demonstrated the highest correlation between the thickness of the pontic and IF and FF values with ceramic pontics (IF: p < 0.001; R2 = 0.880; FF: p < 0.001; R2 = 0.953). CONCLUSION: By increasing the occlusal thickness of the pontic, the load-bearing capacity of the FRC FDPs may be increased. The highest load-bearing capacity was obtained with 4.0 mm thickness in the ceramic pontic. However, with thinner pontics, polymer denture teeth and composite pontics resulted in higher load-bearing values.