Strengthening composite resin restorations with ceramic whisker reinforcement.

Due to their tendency to fracture, current composite formulations are unsuitable for use in large stress-bearing direct posterior restorations that involve cusps. This study investigated the use of single-crystalline ceramic whiskers for the reinforcement of composite resins. The whisker-reinforced composite materials exhibited physical characteristics (i.e., flexural strength, work-of-fracture, and elastic modulus) that were significantly greater (P < 0.05; Student's t test) than those of traditional composite formulations. The experimental materials also had a surface smoothness that was essentially comparable to hybrid composite control specimens.