To reinforce extensively prepared cavities, different types of fiber reinforcement are utilized. Polyethylene and glass fibers are the most commonly used fibers in that purpose; each type has its own advantages over the other type. Therefore, the aim of this study is to review the literature to evaluate and compare the influence of different fiber reinforcement types on the performance of posterior large composite restorations. Two independent authors performed a comprehensive literature search using MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, and a manual search for cross references until July 2021. Authors selected only studies that contain comparisons between glass (continuous or short) and polyethylene (woven) fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) in posterior cavities of human teeth, and that report the effect of fiber inclusion on fracture resistance, microleakage, and marginal adaptation of restorations. A number of 2711 potentially relevant articles were obtained from the electronic search. After extensive assessment, 2696 articles were ineligible to be included in the review, and only 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. Four out of nine studies, which tested the fracture resistance of FRC restorations, revealed similar performance of the glass and polyethylene fibers. The rest of the studies (n = 5) revealed statistically significant differences between the two types of fiber reinforcement, with the majority showed superior reinforcement of glass fiber. Moreover, the reviewed studies revealed that, using fibers within the composite restorations would reduce the microleakage and improve the marginal adaptation of the restoration regardless of the fiber type. FRCs tend to strengthen the restorations of structurally compromised teeth and improve their performance compared to plain composite restorations.

This study aimed to evaluate the flexural strength (FS), surface wear, and optical properties of 3D-printed dental resins subjected to different post-printing conditions. A total of 240 specimens (2 × 2 × 25 mm³) were 3D-printed using resin materials for permanent (VaresoSmile Crown Plus) VSC and temporary (VaresoSmile Temp) VST restorations. Specimens underwent five post-printing conditions: no post-printing cure; post-cured in a Form Cure curing unit; Visio Beta Vacuum; Ivoclar Targis; or heat-cured (150 °C) for 30 min. Each group of specimens (n = 24) was tested either directly after post-curing, after 24 h of dry storage, or following hydrothermal accelerated aging in boiling water for 16 h. The three-point bending test was used to evaluate the FS. The two-body wear test was performed on 50 disc-shaped specimens (n = 5/group). Surface gloss and translucency were measured for permanent VSC specimens (n = 5/group). SEM/EDS and statistical analyses were performed. The Form Cure device yielded the highest FS and lowest wear depth (p < 0.05). Hydrothermal aging significantly reduced FS. There were no statistical differences in FS and wear values between materials subjected to same post-printing conditions. VSC groups exhibited similar optical properties across different post-printing treatments. Post-printing treatment conditions had a significant impact on the FS and wear of the 3D-printed resin, while optical properties remained unaffected.

The aim of this study was to assess the shear‐bond strength (SBS) of resin‐luting cement to experimental short fiber‐reinforced CAD/CAM composite (SFRC) compared to conventional CAD/CAM (Cerasmart 270), 3D printed (GC TEMP PRINT, Pro3dure GR‐17), and laboratory (Gradia Plus) composites. Moreover, translucency parameter values and light transmission were evaluated. For each of the five types of composites, discs were prepared (n = 16/group) and divided into subgroups (n = 8/group) according to surface treatment protocol (hydrofluoric acid or air‐particle abrasion). SBS test was performed using universal testing machine until failure, and failure modes were visually analyzed. Translucency parameter and curing‐light transmission values through 1, 2, and 3 mm thickness were quantified using spectrophotometry and the MARC resin calibrator, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the CAD/CAM composites after surface treatment. Composite type and surface treatment had a significant effect on SBS. Laboratory composite showed the highest SBS value (22.4 MPa). Cerasmart 270 exhibited higher translucency parameter values (19.8, 11.0, 5.0) than SFRC (14.5, 5.2, 1.6) at the three composite thicknesses tested. Air‐particle abrasion was more effective in enhancing SBS than acid etching. Experimental SFRC CAD/CAM composite showed higher SBS values than Cerasmart 270. For all composites, translucency parameter values and light transmission decreased as thickness increased.

Purpose: To evaluate the fracture behavior of inlay-retained fixed partial dentures (IRFPDs) made of experimental short fiber-reinforced composite (SFRC) computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) block before and after cyclic fatigue aging.Methods: Five groups (n=20/group) of three-unit posterior IRFPDs were fabricated. The first and second groups were CAD/CAM fabricated from experimental SFRC blocks or lithium-disilicate (IPS e.max CAD, IVOCLAR) materials, the third group comprised a three-dimensional-printed composite (Temp PRINT, GC), and the fourth and fifth groups comprised conventional laboratory flowable composite (Gradia Plus, GC) and commercial flowable SFRC (everX Flow, GC), respectively. All IRFPDs were luted into a metal jig with adhesive dual-cure resin cement (RelyX Ultimate, 3M ESPE). Half the IRFPDs per group (n=10) were subjected to fatigue aging for 10,000 cycles. The remaining half were statically loaded until fracture without fatigue aging. The load was applied vertically between triangular ridges of the buccal and lingual cusps. The fracture mode was visually examined using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were statistically analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s HSD test.Results: ANOVA revealed that IRFPDs made of experimental SFRC CAD/CAM had the highest (p0.05) of all tested prostheses, except for the experimental SFRC CAD/CAM and conventional laboratory composite IRFPDs (p>0.05). SEM images showed the ability of discontinuous short fibers in the experimental SFRC CAD/CAM composite to redirect and hinder crack propagation.Conclusion: CAD/CAM-fabricated IRFPDs made of experimental SFRC blocks showed promising performance in clinical testing in terms of fracture behavior.