International Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.2013:4(2):56-59.. ISSN no.

2231-2269
Available at http://www.journalgateway.com

CASE REPORT

Glass Fiber Reinforced Bridge Using Acrylic Denture Tooth Pontic- A Multidisciplinary
Approach.

Dr. Neeraj Mishra1, Dr. Sunit K Jurel 2, Dr. Raghuwar Dayal Singh3, Dr Durga Shanker Gupta4
1, 2, 3, M.D.S, Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty Of Dental Sciences (KGMC), Lucknow,
Uttar Pradesh, India.
4, M.D.S, Reader, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and
Research Center, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Abstract
In some cases a conservative approach can be made for replacing missing teeth as well as to overcome some of the
drawbacks of the conventional fixed prosthesis. Fiber reinforced composite fixed prosthesis is an innovative
alternative to the conventional metal ceramic restorations. Reinforcement of the fibers into the composite resins
affords an increase in certain physical properties and more durable tooth stabilization. The prosthesis consists of
fiber reinforced composite (FRC) structure supporting pontic. The most commonly used fibers in dental applications
are glass, polyethylene and carbon fibers. The FRC fixed prosthesis is specially indicated for replacing one or two
teeth and for the young patients having large pulp chambers and short clinical crowns. Many older patients having
periodontally hopeless mobile teeth are the prime candidates for FRC fixed prosthesis since splinting can be
incorporated with the bridge simultaneously. This paper presents a case of a young patient, demonstrating chairside
fabrication of glass FRC fixed partial denture using acrylic denture tooth as a pontic as a conventional fixed partial
denture was contraindicated.

Key-words- Fiber reinforced composite, Denture acrylic tooth pontic, Wide pulp chamber.

Dr. Neeraj Mishra, Dr. Sunit K Jurel, Dr. Raghuwar Dayal Singh, Dr. Raghuwar Dayal Singh. Glass Fiber
Reinforced Bridge Using Acrylic Denture Tooth Pontic- A Multidisciplinary Approach. International Journal of
Prosthetic Dentistry 2013:4(2):56-59. 2013 International Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by
Publishing Division, Celesta Software Private Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Received on: 05/03/2012 Accepted on: 29 /01/2013

Introduction: Fiber reinforced composites:

In most patients, wherever With the advent of adhesive
conventional fixed prosthesis are dentistry, Clinicians and Researchers,
contraindicated, but patients desire a fixed investigated the imbedding of reinforcement
prosthesis, a conservative approach can be materials into composite resins and found
made for replacing missing tooth. that they provided an increase in certain
Fiber reinforced composite fixed physical properties and more durable tooth
prosthesis is a conservative and an stabilization. Different types of materials
innovative alternative to the conventional have been reinforced into the composite
fixed restorations. The most commonly used resins include stainless steel wire rods, wire
fibers in dental applications are glass, mesh, nylon mesh, woven polyethylene
polyethylene and carbon fibers.1 Young ribbon and woven and straight glass fiber.
2,3,4
patients having edentulous space no wider
than one or two teeth and short clinical Since 1991, a leno-woven
crowns with wide pulp chambers are the polyethylene ribbon (Ribbond Bondable
prime candidates of FRC fixed prosthesis. Reinforcement Ribbon) and glass woven
fibers have been used successfully for a
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International Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.2013:4(2):56-59.. ISSN no. 2231-2269
Available at http://www.journalgateway.com

variety of clinical techniques, including missing (Fig.2). As the patient was young
tooth splinting, replacement of missing with wide pulp chamber and periodontal
tooth, orthodontic retention, and other condition of abutment teeth was not
clinical applications.5 Two of the satisfactory, conventional fixed partial
mechanisms by which high strain to failure denture was contraindicated. There were two
fibers exert a load-enhancing effect on teeth missing but space was less, therefore,
brittle matrix composite materials are by missing teeth were planned to replace by
acting as stress-bearing component and one acrylic denture tooth pontic FRC bridge
crack-stopping or crack-deflecting since splinting can be performed
6
mechanisms. Different FRC materials simultaneously with bridge.
exhibit different handling and mechanical
properties. Fiber types, fiber orientation and Technique:
quality of fiber impregnation with the resin During the first appointment the shade and
matrix have a sustained impact on handling mold of the denture tooth are selected.
characteristics and physical properties. Tissue side of the pontic should be
Because of their good handling and physical contoured to a modified ridge lap
characteristics, the braided and woven configuration, smoothed and highly
polyethylene and glass fibers are very useful polished. Because composite does not
for the fiber reinforced composite fixed normally bond to acrylic resin, large class 3
prosthodontic restorations.1 conventional preparation in the pontic was
completed in the laboratory that will
Case report: mechanically retain the composite material.
This case report presents a case Space of approximately 0.5mm should exist
demonstrating chairside fabrication of fiber between the pontic and the abutment teeth,
reinforced fixed partial dentures using because stronger connectors are provided by
impregnated glass woven fiber (Interlig, additional bulk of composite material. The
Angelus, Brasil) (Fig.1) to reinforce involved proximal surfaces on both the
composite resin (3M ESPE, Germany) and abutment teeth and the pontic are roughened
acrylic denture tooth as pontic. and the denture tooth pontic was stabilized
with adhesive composite resin on the facial
interproximal surfaces in the connector
region. A lingual channel, 3mm wide and
equal to the width of reinforcement fiber
was formed into the pontic and abutment
teeth. The length of glass fiber was
measured and cut (Fig.3).
Flowable composite was applied on
the bonding surfaces prior to placing the
fiber bundle. The purpose of the flowable
(Figure.1 Glass fiber ) (Filtek, 3M ESPE, Germany) composite was
to seal the space between the fiber frame
and the enamel surface. Fiber-framework
FRC fixed prosthesis with acrylic was fully covered with a thin layer of flow
denture tooth pontic is sometimes used as an composite resin and denture acrylic tooth
interim prosthesis and is called as temporary pontic was attached properly with the fiber
bridge. In this reported case a permanent and abutment teeth. Successful chemical
mandibular right and left central incisors are
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International Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.2013:4(2):56-59.. ISSN no. 2231-2269
Available at http://www.journalgateway.com

bond between fiber framework and pontic recommends the removal of the exposed
was achieved after curing. Thus contoured portion and repairing it with composite.
and cured completed prosthesis was finished Strict adherence to oral hygiene
and polished with defining facial, incisal instructions is critical to maintain the health
and gingival embrasures (Fig.4) and (Fig.5). and the appearance of treatment results.
Occlusion was carefully adjusted (Fig.6)
and oral hygiene measures were instructed. Conclusion:
The natural, esthetic appearance and
Discussion: its conservative and inherent adhesive
Coordinated periodontal and nature make the fiber reinforced prosthesis a
restorative treatments with careful successful fixed tooth replacement. It can be
consideration of patients expectations and viable alternative to conventional fixed
requests, are critical for a successful prosthesis in circumstances where age,
outcome and patient satisfaction. Fiber expense, or clinical impracticality are
reinforced composite restorations are considerations. Because of the conservative
important not only because of esthetic and preparation and bonded nature of all these
functional concerns, but also there may be a fixed prosthesis type, retention is never as
perceive psychological impact for the strong as for a conventional fixed
patient.7 With the introduction of bondable prosthesis. Multilayer clinical studies are
poly ethylene and glass woven fibers many currently in progress to determine the value
of the problems with older types of and efficacy of the FRC fixed prosthesis as
reinforcement were solved8 and splinting a long term tooth replacement.
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International Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.2013:4(2):56-59.. ISSN no. 2231-2269
Available at http://www.journalgateway.com

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Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop 2002; Dr. Sunit Kumar Jurel, MDS
121:650-4. C/O Sr. R. B. Singh, 18/373, Indira
10. Lostumaki TM, Lassila LV, Vallittu PK. Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Flexural properties of the bulk fiber Mobile : +919453604322;+918853725087
reinforced composite DC-Tell used in E-mail: dentistmj1110@yahoo.co.in

No conflict of interest reported

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