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Evaluation of the Clinical Success Rate of Fiber-Reinforced Polyethylene Composite Conservative Bridges
Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Ilam University of Medical sciences, Ilam, Iran
10.48309/ijabbr.2026.2079033.1675
Abstract
Despite advancements in materials used for restorative dentistry, there is no ideal dental material for every ideal dental application. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical success rate of FRC and direct bridges in patients attending dental clinics. This retrospective, analytical, cross-sectional study investigated the clinical success factors in patients who had undergone direct FRC treatment for the replacement of missing anterior teeth over the past 15 years. We clinically evaluated patients who had received Fiber-Reinforced Composite (FRC) Bridges for the replacement of missing anterior teeth within the last ten years. Based on a researcher-developed chart (attached herewith), the clinical performance factors of the restoration were examined meticulously by a restorative specialist. This study was conducted on 31 patients who had previously (more than 10 years ago) undergone direct FRC treatment for the replacement of missing anterior teeth. The majority of patients used a toothbrush daily and flossed occasionally. Most of them did not use mouthwash, and the majority of subjects studied (83.9%) did not have harmful oral habits (mouth breathing and bruxism). Secondary caries was not evident in the abutment teeth in most patients (74.2%). 25.8% of the patients were without aesthetic defects, but the majority of patients (64.5%) had correctable aesthetic defects, and restoration replacement was reported in only 9.7%. The synergistic effect between the fiber and the composite creates a bilayer restoration that can withstand twice the load tolerated by a conventional composite restoration.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 03 January 2026
- Receive Date 21 November 2025
- Revise Date 03 December 2025
- Accept Date 02 January 2025
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