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

Purpose: To inspect the impact of polyethylene fiber (Ribbond) on the long-span, 3D-printed, interim fixed dental prosthesis 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. The prosthesis was fabricated by 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.