Effect of Structure on Flexural Properties of a Splint Material
Objectives: Dental splints are used in a variety of applications to stabilize and support teeth or restorations, often requiring significant flexural properties for proper function. The objective of this research was to compare the flexural properties of four structural configurations of a dental splint product made from glass fiber-reinforced resin material. Methods: Splint-S from SFC, LLC was used to make four structural configurations based upon fiber arrangement: Group I: All Braided, Group II: All Uni-directional, Group III: Top and bottom uni-directional, center braided, and Group IV: Top and bottom braided, center uni-directional. The four splint group specimens (n=5/group; approximately 25 x 2 x 1.5 mm) were stored for 24 hours in distilled water at 37oC. After storage, the splint material beams were tested in 3-point flexure at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min and bottom supports separated by 20 mm. Flexural strength and flexural modulus were determined from the flexure curves and compared with one-way ANOVA and a post hoc Tukey test, if indicated. Significance was set to p<0.05. Results: The flexural strengths and flexural moduli are shown in the table.
No significant (p<0.05) differences were found among groups with respect to flexural modulus. Conclusions: Fiber arrangement influences flexural strength with a braided arrangement producing greater strength than uni-directional.
Division: Meeting:2025 AADOCR/CADR Annual Meeting (New York City, New York) Location: New York City, New York
Year: 2025 Final Presentation ID:1115 Abstract Category|Abstract Category(s):Dental Materials 2: Polymer-based Materials
Authors
Karmaker, Nykesha
( SFC, LLC
, Wallingford
, Connecticut
, United States
)
Berzins, David
( Marquette University School of Dentistry
, Milwaukee
, Wisconsin
, United States
)
Support Funding Agency/Grant Number: This study was supported by SFC, LLC.
Financial Interest Disclosure: The first author is affiliated with the company.