M e c h a n i c a l p r o p e r t i e s of a l i g h t - p o l y m e r i z i n g p r o v i s i o n a l

r e s t o r a t i v e m a t e r i a l w i t h and w i t h o u t r e i n f o r c e m e n t fibers
D o n n a L. D i x o n , D M D , M A , a M i c h e l e F i n c h e r , D M D , b
L a r r y C. B r e e d i n g , D M D , M S E d , c a n d L e o n a r d A . M u e n i n g h o f f , DDS d
School Of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala.

I n t e r i m r e s t o r a t i o n s a r e v u l n e r a b l e to i n a d v e r t e n t f r a c t u r e d u r i n g m a s t i c a t i o n .
Autopolymerizing acrylic resins have traditionally been selected for fabrication of
provisional restorations. Triad light-polymerizing tooth-colored acrylic resin was
r e c e n t l y i n t r o d u c e d as an a l t e r n a t i v e m a t e r i a l f o r t h i s p r o c e d u r e . T h i s m a t e r i a l
does not contain methyl methacrylate monomer and permits an increased working
time. Heavy occlusal forces may initiate cracks within these restorations, and
p r o p a g a t i o n o f t h e s e c r a c k s m a y u l t i m a t e l y l e a d to f a i l u r e . V a r i o u s f o r m s o f
r e i n f o r c e m e n t f i b e r s a r e a v a i l a b l e a n d a r e m a r k e t e d for s t r e n g t h e n i n g d e n t a l
r e s i n s u s e d for p r o v i s i o n a l r e s t o r a t i o n s . I n v e s t i g a t o r s h a v e d e m o n s t r a t e d t h a t t h e
mechanical properties of acrylic resins may be improved with the incorporation of
r e i n f o r c i n g fibers, b u t a p u b l i s h e d e v a l u a t i o n o f f i b e r - r e i n f o r c e d l i g h t - p o l y m e r i z i n g
p r o v i s i o n a l r e s t o r a t i v e m a t e r i a l s is l a c k i n g . T h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n r e c o r d e d a n d
compared two mechanical properties of one light-polymerizing provisional restor-
ative material with and without incorporation of vertically and horizontally
o r i e n t e d w o v e n , m a t t e d , p o l y e t h y l e n e fibers. N o s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e in m o d u l u s o f
r u p t u r e w a s r e c o r d e d b e t w e e n g r o u p s w i t h a n d w i t h o u t fibers. T h e m e a n f l e x u r a l
elastic modulus of the group with the horizontally oriented fibers was significantly
greater than the mean flexural elastic modulus of the specimens without incorpo-
r a t e d fibers. (J PROSTHET DENT 1 9 9 5 ; 7 3 : 5 1 0 - 4 . )

M a t e r i a l s available for fabricating provisional fixed
partial dentures (FPDs) include autopolymerizing poly-
methyl methacrylate, polyethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl
methacrylate, and light-polymerizing resins. Exposure to
resinous monomers must be a significant concern to the
dentist, laboratory technician, and patient because of po-
tential health hazards. 1-5 Triad VLC Provisional Material
(Dentsply Intl., York, Pc.) does not contain methyl meth-
acrylate monomer but contains a higher molecular weight
oligomer that is not as volatile. The use of light-polymer-
izing acrylic resins to fabricate single- or multiple-unit
provisional restorations may eliminate potential health
hazards associated with vapors from methyl methacrylate
monomers.
Provisional restorations are subjected to strong maximal
intercuspation and laterotrusive and protrusive occlusal
forces during functional and parafunctional activities.
During these activities crack propagation can occur and
result in failure of the restoration. 6 Many ways of develop-
aAssociate Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry.
bprosthodontics Graduate Student.
CAssociateProfessor, Department of Oral Health Practice, College
of Dentistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky.
dprofessor, Department of Restorative Dentistry.
Copyright | 1995 by The Editorial Council of THE JOURNALOF
PROSTHETICDENTISTRY.
0022-3913/95/$3.00 + 0. 10/1/63305
ing resistance of acrylic resins to this failure have been in-
vestigated and include polymerization of the molded acrylic
resin under pressure, 6,7 carbon fiber incorporation, 8-16
Kevlar fiber (Fiberflex, Biomedical Composites, Menom-
onee Falls, Wis.) incorporation, 17 and polyethylene fiber
incorporation. 18-22These investigations demonstrated that
mechanical properties of acrylic resins may be improved
with various types and forms of reinforcement fibers.
The mechanical properties of light-polymerized resins
differ from those of heat-processed and autopolymerized
methyl methacrylate resins. 23, 24 Although the modulus of
elasticity of Triad light-polymerizing denture-base resins
is higher, the modulus of rupture or transverse strength was
greater for heat-processed polymethyl methacrylate res-
ins 25 and autopolymerizing polymethyl methacrylate res-
ins 23 than for Triad light-polymerizing resin. Polyethylene
fibers have increased the modulus of rupture of Triad den-
ture-base material. 21 The effect of incorporation of poly-
ethylene fibers on the mechanical properties of light-poly-
merizing provisional restorative materials has not been
documented.
This investigation compared the modulus of rupture and
the modulus of elasticity of one light-polymerizing provi-
sional restorative material with and without incorporation
of woven, matted, polyethylene reinforcement fibers and
determined the effects of the vertical and horizontal orien-
tation of fibers within the light-polymerizing material.

510 THE J O U R N A L OF P R O S T H E T I C D E N T I S T R Y VOLUME 73 NUMBER 6

DIXON ET AL
[ 4
A B
F i g . 1. Diagraramatic representation of specimen block with channel prepared. A, Cross
section of prepared channel; B, cross section of prepared channel with horizontally oriented
fibers; C, cross section of prepared channel with vertically oriented fibers.
M A T E R I A L AND M E T H O D S
A light-polymerizing provisional restorative material
(Triad VLC provisional material) was formed into an ap-
proximately 68 mm x 12 mm x 10 mm rectangular mass.
The mass of material was then placed in the Triad
light-polymerizingunit (Model TCU-1, Dentsply Intl.) and
was polymerized for 5 minutes. The material was removed
from the unit and inverted, and the specimen was poly-
merized an additional 5 minutes. With the use of 60-, 180-,
320-, 400-, and finally 600-grit sandpaper on a rotary sander
(Rotary Metallurgical Sander 1511-2, Buehler, Ltd., Evan-
ston, Ill.) and copious water, the polymerized material was
contoured to the dimensions 67 ram x 12 mm x 10 mm. A
silicone material (3110 RTV Silicone Rubber, Dow Corn-
ing Corp., Midland, Mich.) was mixed according to the
manufacturer's recommendations and was used to form a
mold of the specimen. This rubber mold and enclosed
specimen were allowed to set undisturbed at room temper-
ature for 24 hours.
The specimen was removed from the mold, the mold was
lubricated with petroleum jelly, and unpolymerized Triad
material was pressed into the mold. A lubricated glass slab
was placed onto the superior surface of the mold to ensure
that a fiat parallel surface was formed. The glass slab was
removed, and the mold was placed in the Triad unit and
was polymerized for 5 minutes. The specimen was removed
from the mold, placed in the unit again with the uncoated
side facing down, and polymerized for 5 minutes. Twelve
specimens were fabricated in this manner (group TN).
Thirty-six Triad specimens were fabricated in a similar
manner, except a 68 mm x 3 m m x 2.5 mm piece of copper
lubricated with petroleum jelly was inserted in the superior
surface of the material before polymerization. After com-
plete polymerization was done, the copper insert was
extracted. After the insert was removed, a channel re-
mained in the specimen block (Fig. 1), which was thor-
oughly cleaned with cotton pellets saturated with alcohol.
A thin coat of Triad bonding agent (Dentsply) was applied
J U N E 1995
THE J O U R N A L OF P R O S T H E T I C D E N T I S T R Y
C
within the channel of 12 specimens. Each specimen was in-
serted into the polymerizing unit for 2 minutes. Additional
Triad material was then inserted in each channel, and each
specimen was polymerized for 5 additional minutes (group
TC).
Twenty-four 68 mm strands were cut from woven, mat-
ted, 2.5 mm x 0.5 mm polyethylene reinforcement fibers
(Ribbond, Inc., Seattle, Wash.) and were placed on a clean
paper towel until needed. This material was handled with
cotton gloves to prevent contamination. Each strand was
coated with Triad bonding agent and was polymerized for
2 minutes. Triad bonding agent was placed in the channels
of the remaining specimens and was polymerized for 2
minutes. A strand of the coated fibers was placed horizon-
tally onto the floor of the channel in each of the 12 spec-
imens. Unpolymerized Triad material was then placed
within the channel covering the horizontal fibers, and then
each specimen was polymerized for 5 minutes (group TH).
Within the channels of the remaining 12 Triad specimens,
fibers were vertically sustained in place with cotton pliers,
and unpolymerized Triad material was carefully placed on
either side and superiorly to the fibers. The specimens were
then polymerized for 5 minutes (group TV).
After polymerization was done, each specimen was
sanded on the rotary sander with 60-, 180-, 320-, 400-, and
finally 600-grit sandpaper with copious water until the
measured dimensions were 65 mm x 8 mm • 6 mm. All
specimens were stored in deionized, distilled water for 24
hours.
Each specimen was placed in an Instron Universal test-
ing machine (Instron Corp., Canton, Mass.) on a three-
point bending fixture. The specimens that contained filled
channels (groups TC, TH, and TV) were positioned on the
fixture so that the channel faced inferiorly from the origin
of the compressive force. With a 4500 kg load cell with a
crosshead speed of 0.5 cm/minute, the specimens were
subjected to a compressive force until fracture occurred.
The fiexural elastic modulus (E~) and modulus of rupture
511
THE J O U R N A L OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY DIXON ET AL

T a b l e I. Calculated mechanical property data for triad groups

Mechanical property Group No. Mean (MPa) SD SEM Variance CV

Flexural elastic modulus TN 12 2282.89 109.32 31.56 11951.59 4.79

TC 12 2419.78 172.46 49.78 29741.78 7.13
TV 12 2537.83 85.75 24.75 7352.23 3.38
TH 12 2645.35 220.35 63.61 48555.65 8.33
Modulus of rupture TN 12 112.07 11.78 3.40 139.06 10.52
TC 12 103.78 8.58 2.48 73.65 8.27
TV 12 107.82 12.71 3.67 161.61 11.79
TH 12 119.00 18.84 5.44 354.88 15.83
TN, T r i a d without channel; TC, T r i a d with p r e p a r e d a n d filled channel; TV, T r i a d with vertically oriented fibers; TH, T r i a d with horizontally oriented fibers;
CV, coefficient of variation.

T a b l e II. One-way analysis of variance comparison of mechanical property data

Mechanical property Source df Sum of squares Mean square F Value Probability*

Flexural elastic modulus Model 3 874483.49 291494.50 11.95 0.0001

Error 44 1073613.77 24400.31
Correct total 47 1948097.26
Modulus of rupture Model 3 1522.16 507.39 2.78 0.0519
Error 44 8021.32 182.30
Correct total 47 9543.48
*Significant difference exists at p < 0.05.

T a b l e III. Scheffe F-test comparison of flexural elastic One-way analyses of variance (p < 0.05) were completed to
modulus data determine whether statistically significant differences ex-
Group No. Mean (MPa)* isted between the groups for each of the two calculated
properties. Results from these analyses are listed in Table
TN 12 2282.89 I II. Because a significant difference existed between the
TC 12 2419.78 ] ] groups when the modulus of elasticity data were analyzed,
TV 12 2537.83 ] I a Scheffe F-test (p < 0.05) was then completed (Table III).
TH 12 2645.35 I Results from this test indicated that Triad specimens with
*Vertical lines connect groups t h a t are not significantly different at p < 0.05. incorporation of vertically oriented Ribbond fibers exhib-
ited a significantly higher mean flexural elastic modulus
than did Triad VLC provisional material specimens with-
out a prepared and filled channel. The Triad VLC provi-
(MOR) were calculated from the generated stress strain sional material specimen groups with vertically (group TV)
curves. Data from this investigation were then compared or horizontally oriented fibers (group TH) recorded simi-
with a one-way analysis of variance (p < 0.05) and a Scheffe lar mean flexural elastic modulus values. The Triad spec-
F-test. imen groups with and without a prepared and filled chan-
nel were similar.
RESULTS
The following formulas were used to calculate the DISCUSSION
mechanical property values for the Triad groups: The fracture or loss of the retention of luting agents of
EF = Slope X (L3/4db3), provisional restorations is a problem for both patients and
dentists. Prolonged insertion of a provisional restoration is
where L = the length between the supports, d = the thickness of
the specimen, and b = the width of the specimen; and often necessary for extensive treatments that involve peri-
odontal therapy, occlusal rehabilitation, or gradual oc-
MOR = 3P1/2bd 2
clusal loading of implant supported prostheses. Under the
where P = the load at which the specimen breakage occurred, conditions of this investigation, the values measured for
1 = the length between the supports, b = the width of the speci- modulus of rupture of light-polymerized provisional resto-
men, and d = the thickness of the specimen.
ration materials were approximately twice the values
Calculated modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity reported for light-polymerized denture-based materials.
data for different specimen groups are listed in Table I. The incorporation of a single woven matt of polyethylene

512 VOLUME 73 NUMBER 6

DIXON ET A L
fibers did not elevate the modulus of rupture of the test
specimens and may not decrease the clinical incidence of
fracture of a provisional restoration fabricated in a similar
manner. According to the manufacturer these fibers are
intended to chemically bond to the provisional resin mate-
rial, but this bonding was not observed in this investigation.
However, the fibers may prevent the segments of a frac-
tured provisional restoration from totally separating before
the patient returns to the dental office. A reduction in flex-
ing of the provisional prosthesis during occlusal loading
could reduce problems associated with loss of seal of the
luting agent. The horizontally placed fibers resulted in the
greatest mean flexural elastic modulus, but the mean value
was not significantly higher than that generated from
specimens with vertically placed fibers. The inclusion of
the woven matted fibers would be indicated for an FPD
with long-span pontic when flexure is most severe. Light-
polymerizing restorative materials offer the advantage of
monomer elimination, and these materials also allow the
dentist to have more control over the provisional restora-
tion fabrication process. This increase in control is espe-
cially helpful when fibers are to be placed in the restoration,
because the prosthesis may be fabricated in layers to allow
accurate placement of the fibers.
Larson et al.16 reported the flexural elastic moduli of
three autopolymerizing acrylic resins commonly used as
provisional restorative materials (Jet, Lang Dental Mfg.
Co., Chicago, Ill.; Splintline, Lang; and, Trim, Henry J.
Bosworth Co., Skokie, Ill.). The values in this article were
for resinous groups with and without incorporated carbon
graphite fibers. The values reported by Larson et al.16 for
all resinous provisional restorations without incorporated
fibers were lower than the values in this investigation for
all the Triad VLC provisional material specimen groups.
The values that Larson et al. 16 recorded for the carbon
graphite fiber-reinforced Jet (polymethyl methacrylate)
and Splintline (polyethyl methacrylate) groups were
greater than those of any Triad groups in this investigation.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
The Triad light-polymerizing provisional restorative
material evaluated exhibited a flexural elastic modulus
that was greater than each of the fiber-reinforced auto-
polymerizing resins investigated by Larson et alJ 6 This in-
creased resistance to flexure would reduce the potential for
loss of the seal of luting agent with provisional FPDs.
Reinforcement of Triad VLC provisional material with
woven, matted, polyethylene fibers increased the flexural
elastic modulus and may be indicated for FPDs with long-
span pontics when flexure is anticipated. The use of carbon
graphite fibers with a provisional restoration fabricated
from polymethyl methacrylate would provide greater re-
sistance to flexure, but the fibers are unesthetic.
CONCLUSIONS
This investigation permitted the following conclusions.
1. Addition of either vertically or horizontally oriented
JUNE 1995
THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY
woven, matted, polyethylene reinforcement fibers did not
significantly increase the modulus of rupture of the spec-
imens fabricated from Triad VLC provisional material.
2. Addition of vertically and horizontally oriented fibers
generated greater flexural elastic modulus values than did
Triad VLC provisional material specimens without incor-
porated fibers. However, this increase was significant only
between the group with horizontally placed fibers and the
group without prepared channels.
SUMMARY
The modulus of rupture and flexural elastic modulus
were determined for Triad VLC provisional material with
and without woven, matted, polyethylene reinforcement
fibers. Fiber incorporation did not substantially elevate the
modulus of rupture of the specimens. Specimens with in-
corporated fibers exhibited greater flexural elastic modulus
values than did those without fibers.
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The Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms, Sixth Edition

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This document, a collection of words/terms and their special connotation in the art
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The sixth edition of the Glossary (printed in the January 1994 issue of The Journal of
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514 VOLUME 73 NUMBER 6