FINITE ELEMENT STUDY EVALUSTION OF GLASS FIBER REINFORCED FIXED PROSTHESES MADE OF ACRYLIC AND BIS-ACRYLIC RESIN MATERIALS

Abstract

The use of interim (provisional) prostheses is an obligate stage of modern dental practice. The problem of provisional bridges recognized by most experts is their use under heavy occlusal stress due to the possibility of their fracture. The development of a simple method of reinforcing provisional of prostheses during a clinical appointment that does not require special equipment is an urgent scientific and practical task. Objectives. The goal of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution in fiberglass reinforced and non-reinforced short-span and long-span provisional bridges according to different acrylic and bis-acrylic resin. Methodology. For this purpose, four finite element models were developed to reproduce the properties of prosthetic materials and hard dental tissues (Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, hardness). Each model was subjected to a vertical load of 100 N applied to the middle of the bridge. Calculations were carried out in APM 3D Studio, and the results obtained were monitored in Ansys 12.2. The results obtained were displayed on the monitor screen, printed and analyzed. Results. Stress distribution pattern for an acrylic non-reinforced short-span bridge (model 1) showed the highest stress (4.2–5.2 n/mm2) in the area of the occlusal surface. Stress distribution pattern for an acrylic non-reinforced long-span bridge (model 2) showed the highest stress (11.4–12.3 n/mm2) both in the load zone and in the cervical zones of the connector facing the defect. Stress distribution pattern for acrylic reinforced long-span bridge (model 3) showed the highest stress (10.5–12.0 n/mm2) in the area where the fiber reinforcing tape is located deep in the bridge. Stress distribution pattern for bis-acrylic reinforced long-span bridge (model 4) showed the highest stress (9.8–10.5 n/mm2) observed both in the area where the glass fiber reinforcing tape is located and on the occlusal surface. Conclusion. Finite element analysis confirmed the feasibility of fiberglass reinforcement of long-span provisional bridges made of acrylic or bis-acrylic resin.