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 90 degrees and 30 degrees. 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.