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Purpose:The effect of glass-fiber reinforcement and water storage on the fracture
toughness (KIC) of polymer-based provisional crown and fixed partial denture (FPD)
materials was investigated. Materials and Methods:Five unreinforced single-edged,
notched control specimens and five test specimens reinforced with unidirectional Eglass
fibers (Stick) were fabricated from three dimethacrylate-based provisional
materials and one monomethacrylate-based provisional material. The specimens were
stored in water at 37°C for 1, 7, 30, or 60 days. Specimens were loaded in three-point
bending at a cross-head speed of 0.1 mm/s. Mode I plane-strain KIC was calculated
using the maximum load, and results of the two groups were compared. The water
storage effect on KIC with time was also evaluated. Results:The KIC of provisional
materials reinforced with glass fibers (range 7.5 to 13.8 MNm–1.5) was significantly
higher than that of unreinforced materials (range 1.3 to 3.1 MNm–1.5), by a factor of 4.4
to 5.5. A small, gradual decrease of KIC in reinforced specimens occurred with
aqueous storage, but it was not statistically significant. Conclusion:The KIC of
polymer-based provisional crown and FPD materials was significantly increased when
they were reinforced with unidirectional E-glass fibers. Water storage for up to 2 months
still left the reinforced materials with KIC values in excess of 7 MNm–1.5. Hence, their
performance was satisfactory. Int J Prosthodont 2004;17:318–322.
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