Flexural Strength of Four Adhesive Fixed Dental Prostheses of Composite Resin Reinforced with Glass Fiber

Purpose: To evaluate the flexural strength of two fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) designs simulating frameworks of adhesive fixed partial prostheses, reinforced or not by glass fiber. Materials and Methods: Forty specimens, made with composite resin, were divided into 4 groups according to the framework design and the presence of fiber reinforcement: A1 - occlusal support; A2: occlusal support + glass fiber; B1: occlusal and proximal supports; B2: occlusal and proximal supports + glass fiber. The specimens were subjected to the three-point bending test, and the data were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (5%). Results: Group A2 (97.9 ± 38 N) was statistically significantly different from all other experimental groups, presenting a significantly lower mean flexural strength. Conclusion: The use of glass fibers did not improve the flexural strength of composite resin, and designs with occlusal and proximal supports presented better results than designs simulating only occlusal support. Schlagwörter: glass fiber, flexural strength, composite resin