The Use of Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Restoration of Endodontically Treated Teeth: A Review

Abstract

This review summarized the most recently published literature pertaining to the use of fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) to restore endodontically treated teeth (ETT) and its influence on the mechanical behavior of restored teeth. In-depth¬ literature review in Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and PubMed was performed for these keywords: “fiber-reinforced composite”; “fiber post”; “endodontically treated”; “short fiber-reinforced composite”— only published full-text articles between 2009 and 2021 are included in this review. Fourteen articles were selected for this review. The studies concentrated on laboratory-based research conducted on human and bovine extracted teeth with different restorative techniques. Fatigue survival and load to failure tests with assessment of survival rate and fracture strength values respectively, as well as fracture pattern analysis were done. We concluded that FRC materials have improved fracture strength of restored teeth compared to conventional composites using different restorative techniques, however not to the attained level of an intact natural tooth. In addition, authors recommend a better simulation of oral environment, such as dynamic fatigue-testing.