Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
 | 
Online Publication Date: 15 Sept 2023

Physical Properties and Clinical Performance of Short Fiber Reinforced Resin-based Composite in Posterior Dentition: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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Page Range: E119 – E136
DOI: 10.2341/22-003-LIT
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SUMMARY

Objective

This study compares the physical properties and clinical performance of short fiber reinforced composites (SFRC) to those of particulate-filled resin-based composites (PFRC) for class I and II direct restorations in permanent dentition.

Methods

Systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using PubMed, Embase (Elsevier), and Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source (EBSCO) databases. The outcomes evaluated were physical properties including flexural strength, flexural modulus, elastic modulus, microhardness, shrinkage, fracture toughness, degree of conversion, and depth of cure. Clinical performance was evaluated with a systematic review.

Results

The meta-analyses favored SFRC for flexural strength and fracture toughness compared to every PFRC subgroup, with a high quality of evidence. For all other properties, the meta-analyses favored SFRC to overall PFRC, with some non-significant differences with certain PFRC subgroups. The most recent clinical trial showed SFRC performed similarly to PFRC, however older studies suggest inferior surface texture and discoloration of SFRC compared to PFRC.

Conclusion

This study can aid dental professionals in clinical decision making, supporting that SFRC offers improved physical properties, especially fracture resistance and flexural strength, compared to PFRC.

Copyright: 2023
Figure 1.
Figure 1.

PRISMA flowchart.

Figure 2.
Figure 2.

Risk of bias for (A) in vitro studies and for (B) in vivo studies.

Figure 3.
Figure 3.

Forest plots for flexural strength.

Figure 4.
Figure 4.

Forest plot for flexural modulus.

Figure 5.
Figure 5.

Forest plot for elastic modulus.

Figure 6.
Figure 6.

Forest plot for Knoop microhardness.

Figure 7.
Figure 7.

Forest plot for fracture toughness.

Figure 10.
Figure 10.

Forest plot for depth of cure.

Figure 8.
Figure 8.

Forest plot for volumetric polymerization shrinkage.

Figure 9.
Figure 9.

Forest plot for degree of conversion.

Contributor Notes

*Corresponding author: 188 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115; e-mail: supattriya_chutinan@hsdm.harvard.edu
Accepted: 06 Jun 2023
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