Polyethylene ribbon fibers: a new alternative for restoring badly destroyed primary incisors

Dentistry has advanced to the point where it is undesirable for children to be partially edentulous or to have unattractive anterior teeth. With the introduction of new materials and adhesive systems the use of polyethylene fibers as post and core offer a new reconstructive alternative for severely destroyed primary anterior teeth. These fibers offer root and coronal retention, stability and esthetics, and it is done chair side. The present study compared two different types of fibers and analyzed the fracture resistance between the two of them. Two groups were formed. Group I used non pre-impregnated resin fibers (glasSpan) and group II used pre-impregnated resin fibers (Splint-it). Both types of fibers have been used as post and core in the restoration of primary teeth and clinical studies have been published. Our results indicated that the mean fracture resistance for group I was 71.346 and for group II 97.952 (p=0.004). During the observation of the fractured samples, adhesive failures were noted for group I at the junction between the fiber and its core to the interior wall of the root canal. In group II, the fibers were dislodged out of the canal and the core part of the canal remained intact. It can be concluded that pre-impregnated fibers offer a better fracture resistance when used as post in endodontically treated primary anterior teeth.

1 Assif D, et al. Retention of endodontic posts with composite resin luting agent: effect of cement thickness. Quintessence Int 19: 643-646, 1988.

2 Behr M, et al. Comparison of three types of fiber-reinforced composite molar crowns on their fracture resistance and marginal adaptation. J Dent 29: 187-196. 2001.

3 Carranza F, Garcia-Godoy F. Esthetic restoration of primary incisors. Am.J Dent 12: 55-8, 1999.

4 Christensen G. Esthetic preformed crowns. Clinical Research Associates 11:1, 1987.

5 Citron, C.I. Esthetics in pediatric dentistry. NYSDJ February 30- 33, 1995.

6 Croll,T.P., Helpin, M.L. Preformed resin-veneered stainless steel crowns for restoration of primary incisors. Quintessence Int 27: 309-313, 1996.

7 Croll TP. Restorative dentistry for preschool children. Dent Clin North Am 39: 737-770, 1995.

8 Durante AC, et al. Biologic restoration of primary anterior teeth. Quintessence Int 31: 405-11, 2000.

9 Giordano R. Fiber reinforced composite resin systems. Gen Dent 48: 244-249, 2000.

10 Goldberg AJ,Freilich MA.An innovative pre-impregnated glass fiber for reinforcing composites. Dent Clin North Am 43:127-33, 1999.

11 Judd PT, et al. Composite resin short-post technique for primary anterior teeth. JADA 120: 553-555, 1990.

12 Kenny DJ, Johnston DH. The Composite resin short-post: a review of 625 teeth. Ontario Dent 63: 12-18, 1986.

13 Krasteva K. Clinical Application of a fiber-reinforced post system. J Endodont 27: 132-33, 2001.

14 Kupietzky A. Bonded resin composite strip crowns for primary incisors: clinical tips for a successful outcome. Ped Dent 24: 145-148, 2000.

15 Linde AL. The use of composites as core material in root-filled teeth. Swed Dent J 8: 209-216, 1984.

16 Lopes VC, Ribiero CC. Polyethylene fiber tape used as a post and core in decayed primary anterior teeth: a treatment option. J Clin Pediatr Dent 26: 1-4, 2001.

17 Raygot CG, et al. Fracture resistance and primary failure mode of endodontically treated teeth restores with a carbon fiber-reinforced resin post system in vitro. Internat J Prosthodont 14: 141-145, 2001.

18 Rodrigues F, et al. Clinical evaluation of dental reinforcements by means of metallic post with macroretention. J Dent Rest 75: 1095, 1995

19 Romero M, et al. Restoration of a fractured primary incisor. J Clin Pediatr Dent 25: 255-8, 2001.

20 Sharaf AA.The application of fiber core posts in restoring badly destroyed primary incisors. J Clin Pediatr Dent 26: 217-24, 2002

21 Stokes AN, Hood JAA, et al. A light cured resin for precision plastic dowels and cores. Quintessence Int 20: 599-601, 1989.

22 Wanderley MT, et al. Primary anterior tooth restoration using posts with macroretentive elements. Quintessence Int 30: 432-6, 1999.