Development of fibre-reinforced composite disk for computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing milled posts; Experimental composite disk using e-glass fibre in different fibre direction.

AIMS

To evaluate the flexural properties of computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) milled posts fabricated from the experimental fibre-reinforced composite disks in different fibre direction, and to compare the flexural properties of the CAD-CAM milled posts to those of commercial prefabricated posts, RelyX and FRC PostecPlus.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

In vitro comparative study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

E-glass fibre was used to fabricate the CAD-CAM composite disks. The fibres were prepared in unidirectional and multidirectional arrangements into the epoxy resin, at 70% by weight. The disk was milled by the Cerec InLab CAD-CAM system to fabricate a post. Ten posts for each type of disk were prepared. Two types of commercial fibre posts, RelyX fibre post, and FRC PostecPlus were used as control. The three-point bending test was performed.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

The data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and Game-Howell post-hoc test.

RESULTS

The results indicated that both commercial fibre posts had the highest flexural strength and flexural modulus. The unidirectional experimental post yielded significantly lower values in both flexural strengths (739.1 ± 24.1 MPa) and flexural modulus (21.0 ± 3.5 GPa) compared to the control posts, while the multidirectional experimental posts had extremely low flexural strength and flexural modulus.

CONCLUSIONS

The direction of the fibres significantly influenced the mechanical properties of the posts. The experimental unidirectional fibre-reinforced composite disk showed the potential to be used as a CAD-CAM disk for post and core fabrication.