Mona Gibreel1, Lippo V J Lassila2, Timo O Närhi3, Leila Perea-Lowery4, Pekka K Vallittu5. 1. Doctoral candidate, Department of Biomaterials Science and Turku Clinical Biomaterials Centre-TCBC, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. Electronic address: mona.f.gibreel@utu.fi. 2. Laboratory Head, Turku Clinical Biomaterials Centre-TCBC, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. 3. Professor, Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Stomatognathic Physiology, University of Turku, and Professor, Clinic of Oral Diseases, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland. 4. Assistant Professor, Department of Biomaterials Science and Turku Clinical Biomaterials Centre-TCBC, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. 5. Professor and Chair of Biomaterials Science Department, University of Turku, and Chief Dentist, City of Turku Welfare Division, Turku, Finland.
Abstract
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Acrylic resin overdenture bases usually fracture because of stress concentrations at the area of the abutments. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reinforcing effect of bidirectional woven electrical glass (E-glass) fiber weaves with a different number of layers and different locations on the load-bearing capacity of simulated Locator-retained overdenture specimens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Test specimens with a centrally located metal housing for a Locator stud attachment were fabricated from autopolymerizing acrylic resin (polymethylmethacrylate based) and reinforced with bidirectional woven E-glass fiber layers. The control group specimens were fabricated without fiber reinforcement. The 2L group had 2 layers of E-glass fiber weaves and was divided according to the fiber location within the specimens as follows: 2L-A subgroup with 2 fiber layers above the metal housing; 2L-N subgroup with 2 fiber layers adjacent to the housing; and 2L-A+2L-N subgroup with 2 fiber layers above and 2 fiber layers adjacent to the housing. The 4L group had 4 layers of E-glass fiber weaves and was divided according to the fiber location as follows: 4L-A subgroup with 4 fiber layers above the housing; 4L-N subgroup with 4 fiber layers adjacent to the housing; and 4L-A+4L-N subgroup with 4 fiber layers above and 4 fiber layers adjacent to the housing. Dry specimens were submitted to a 3-point static loading test, and the mean flexural strength, flexural modulus, and strain values were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests (α=.05). Two-way ANOVA was conducted to detect the influence of the number and location of the reinforcing layers (α=.05). RESULTS: The results revealed a significant difference (P<.001) in flexural strength values between the control group (92.4 ±14 MPa) and the 2 subgroups, 4L-A (116 ±7.3 MPa) and 4L-A+4L-N (117.1 ±6 MPa), with a significant effect only from the number of the reinforcing layers (P<.001) and not the location (P=.153). No significant differences were found with flexural modulus (P=.195) and strain values (P=.174) among the tested groups. CONCLUSIONS: The load-bearing capacity of a Locator-retained overdenture can be significantly increased by placing 4 layers of bidirectional woven E-glass fiber weaves either only above the metal housing or in both locations above and adjacent to the metal.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Acrylic resin overdenture bases usually fracture because of stress concentrations at the area of the abutments. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reinforcing effect of bidirectional woven electrical glass (E-glass) fiber weaves with a different number of layers and different locations on the load-bearing capacity of simulated Locator-retained overdenture specimens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Test specimens with a centrally located metal housing for a Locator stud attachment were fabricated from autopolymerizing acrylic resin (polymethylmethacrylate based) and reinforced with bidirectional woven E-glass fiber layers. The control group specimens were fabricated without fiber reinforcement. The 2L group had 2 layers of E-glass fiber weaves and was divided according to the fiber location within the specimens as follows: 2L-A subgroup with 2 fiber layers above the metal housing; 2L-N subgroup with 2 fiber layers adjacent to the housing; and 2L-A+2L-N subgroup with 2 fiber layers above and 2 fiber layers adjacent to the housing. The 4L group had 4 layers of E-glass fiber weaves and was divided according to the fiber location as follows: 4L-A subgroup with 4 fiber layers above the housing; 4L-N subgroup with 4 fiber layers adjacent to the housing; and 4L-A+4L-N subgroup with 4 fiber layers above and 4 fiber layers adjacent to the housing. Dry specimens were submitted to a 3-point static loading test, and the mean flexural strength, flexural modulus, and strain values were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests (α=.05). Two-way ANOVA was conducted to detect the influence of the number and location of the reinforcing layers (α=.05). RESULTS: The results revealed a significant difference (P<.001) in flexural strength values between the control group (92.4 ±14 MPa) and the 2 subgroups, 4L-A (116 ±7.3 MPa) and 4L-A+4L-N (117.1 ±6 MPa), with a significant effect only from the number of the reinforcing layers (P<.001) and not the location (P=.153). No significant differences were found with flexural modulus (P=.195) and strain values (P=.174) among the tested groups. CONCLUSIONS: The load-bearing capacity of a Locator-retained overdenture can be significantly increased by placing 4 layers of bidirectional woven E-glass fiber weaves either only above the metal housing or in both locations above and adjacent to the metal.