Basaran, Emine GoncuAyna, EmrahLi, Sadullah UctasVallittu, Pekka K.Lassila, Lippo V. J.2024-04-242024-04-2420130001-63571502-3850https://doi.org/10.3109/00016357.2011.654240https://hdl.handle.net/11468/19031Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reinforcing effect of differently oriented fibers on the load-bearing capacity of three-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). Materials and methods. Forty-eight composite FDPs were fabricated. Specimens were divided into eight groups (n = 6/group; codes 1-8). Groups 1 and 5 were plain restorative composites (Grandio and Z100) without fiber reinforcement, groups 2 and 6 were reinforced with a continuous unidirectional fiber substructure, groups 3 and 7 were reinforced with a continuous bidirectional fiber and groups 4 and 8 were reinforced with a continuous bidirectional fiber substructure and continuous unidirectional fiber. FDPs were polymerized incrementally with a handheld light curing unit for 40 s and statically loaded until final fracture. Results. Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed that all groups had significantly different load-bearing capacities. Group 4 showed the highest mean load-bearing capacity and Group 7 the lowest. Conclusion. The results of this study suggest that continuous unidirectional fiber increased the mechanical properties of composite FDPs and bidirectional reinforcement slowed crack propagation on abutments.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessFixed Dental ProsthesisLoad-Bearing CapacityFiber-Reinforced CompositeArticle7116571WOS:0003127081000102-s2.0-848714836192245252310.3109/00016357.2011.654240Q2Q2