OBJECTIVES: The aims of this experiment were: 1) to test the effect of a high concentration of continuous glass fibers on the transverse strength of test specimens made of heat-cured acrylic resin; and 2) to determine the fatigue weakening of both unreinforced and continuous glass fiber-reinforced specimens of heat-cured acrylic resin shaped into upper complete dentures. METHODS: A three-point loading test was used to determine the transverse strength of test specimens (n = 30 per group). The fatigue test was the constant deflection test (n = 10 per group). RESULTS: The results revealed that, compared to unreinforced specimens, continuous glass fibers at a concentration of 58 wt% enhanced the transverse strength of the test specimens up to 146% (p < 0.001) and increased the fatigue resistance (p < 0.001) during 5 x 10(5) loading cycles. SIGNIFICANCE: This study suggests that by incorporating glass fibers into PMMA denture bases, the strength of the denture can be increased.
OBJECTIVES: The aims of this experiment were: 1) to test the effect of a high concentration of continuous glass fibers on the transverse strength of test specimens made of heat-cured acrylic resin; and 2) to determine the fatigue weakening of both unreinforced and continuous glass fiber-reinforced specimens of heat-cured acrylic resin shaped into upper complete dentures. METHODS: A three-point loading test was used to determine the transverse strength of test specimens (n = 30 per group). The fatigue test was the constant deflection test (n = 10 per group). RESULTS: The results revealed that, compared to unreinforced specimens, continuous glass fibers at a concentration of 58 wt% enhanced the transverse strength of the test specimens up to 146% (p < 0.001) and increased the fatigue resistance (p < 0.001) during 5 x 10(5) loading cycles. SIGNIFICANCE: This study suggests that by incorporating glass fibers into PMMA denture bases, the strength of the denture can be increased.