The effect of plasma-treated polyethylene fiber on the fracture strength of polymethyl methacrylate.

The effect of a plasma-treated polyethylene fiber on the fracture strength of polymethyl methacrylate was evaluated in this study. Sixteen treated and 16 untreated polymethyl methacrylate bars were tested by use of a three-point compression loading apparatus. Under the conditions of this experiment the treated bars showed a mean fracture strength of 12.56 MPa compared with 9.81 MPa for the untreated samples. In addition to the increased fracture strength, the treated bars also demonstrated resistance to crack propagation. The bars remained in one piece, held together throughout the compression loading by the polyethylene fiber. The clinical implication of these findings is a reduced incidence of fixed provisional restoration failure.