Clinical survey of acrylic resin removable denture repairs with glass-fiber reinforcement

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical usefulness and dura bility of continuous glass-fiber reinforcement in repair of acrylic resin r emovable dentures. Materials and Methods: Fractured removable dentures with out reinforcement, with conventional metal-wire reinforcement, or with mesh reinforcement were collected from two dental schools in Finland. The total number of dentures was 51 and the number of patients was 48. During the re pair, the dentures were reinforced with a polymer-preimpregnated E-glass fi ber at the region of the fracture. The fibers were used as partial fiber re inforcement, ie, only the weakest part of the denture was reinforced. Follo w-up time varied from 4 months to 4.1 years. After the follow-up period, po ssible fractures and discoloring were visually inspected. Possible irritati on of oral mucosa by glass fibers and the general shape of the denture were also evaluated. Results: In 88 % of the cases, there was no need for adjus tment at the region of partial fiber reinforcement, and the clinical condit ion of the dentures was good. Glass fibers did not irritate the oral mucosa . In the case of refracture or hairline fracture, positioning of the partia l fiber reinforcement was incorrect or the reinforcement had been used inco rrectly (the wetting of the reinforcement with denture base resin was inade quate). Conclusion: Polymer-preimpregnated partial fiber reinforcement seem s to be useful in eliminating fractures of acrylic resin removable dentures . However, this study emphasizes the importance of correct positioning and accurate laboratory technique when partial fiber reinforcement is used.