This study evaluates the effect of fiber reinforcement quantity and position on fracture load of fixed dental prostheses specimens with different fibre reinforced composite (FRC)/ particulate filler composite (PFC) ratio in a cantilever beam test. Three types of specimen structures where made: Specimens with FRC, PFC, or with a combination of both. Specimen's size was 2.0×2.0×25 mm3 and the thicknesses of the FRC layers were 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm. The layers of FRC were placed at the top or at the bottom. Eight groups of specimens were evaluated (n=15/group). The test specimens were statically-loaded until fracture. The fracture loads were linearly dependent on the quantity of the FRC reinforcement when placed at the top (R2=0.941) and bottom (R2=0.896) of the specimens. ANOVA revealed that reinforcement position on the tension side and higher FRC reinforcement volume in the test specimens had positive effect to load bearing capacity (p<0.001).
Keywords: Cantilever testing; Fiber position; Fiber quantity; Fiber-reinforced composite; Fixed dental prostheses; Fracture strength.