A comparative study of the flexural strength of two systems for fiber-reinforced prosthesis

Continuous fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) have been developed to replace the metal framework in fixed partial dentures (FPD), over which a particulate composite esthetic veneer is applied. The manufactures of these products pledge that this replacement improves the esthetic properties with no compromise of the physical ones. This study evaluates the flexural strength of two pre-impregnated systems of FRC used in FPD: Targis/Vectris (Ivoclar/Vivadent) e Sculpture/Fi- brekor (Jeneric/Pentron). Twenty 4mmx4mmx20mm test spe- cimens of each system were made in a stainless steel mold with the fibers in the center along the bars, totally covered by the particulate composite. Specimens were subjected to a three point bending with a MTS testing machine with a cons- tant strain rate of 1mm/min and a 250 KN load. Results were statistically analyzed by the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. One sample of each system was analyzed in scanning electronic microscope. Targis/Vectris System showed higher flexural strength statistically significant at 5% than the Sculp- ture/Fibrekor System, therefore the Sculpture/Fibrekor Sys- tem showed less variation in results.