Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Dental Applications

Publisher Summary A new group of non-metallic dental biomaterials that are increasingly being used in dental applications are Fibre-Reinforced Composites (FRCs). FRC is a material combination of polymer matrix and reinforcing fibres. Fibres of the composite act as the reinforcing phase when the load is applied to the composite. Load is transferred to–and carried by–the fibres. The reinforcing fibres can take the form of continuous unidirectional, continuous bidirectional or continuous random-oriented configurations, or short random-oriented fibres. Development of the FRCs with new types of resin systems along with a better understanding of the design principles behind the construction of fibre-reinforced devices has led to the use of FRCs in a variety of disciplines and applications: in removable prosthodontics, fixed prosthodontics, restorative dentistry, periodontology and orthodontics, and in repairs of fractured porcelain veneers. Critical evaluation of the available FRC materials and recommendations for patient selection are of great importance for successful outcomes.