Fracture resistance and failure patterns of MOD composite restorations reinforced with InFibra versus ribbond polyethylene fibers: an in vitro comparative study
Abstract
Recent advancements in restorative materials, particularly fiber-reinforced composites, have enhanced the reinforcement of weakened teeth and improved their ability to withstand masticatory forces. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the biomechanical performance of InFibra and Ribbond in MOD cavity restorations by assessing fracture resistance under simulated masticatory loading and analyzing failure patterns. A total of 90 extracted, caries-free human mandibular molars were utilized. Standardized mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavities were prepared. The teeth were randomly allocated into three groups ( n = 30). Group 1 (control, restored with a bulk-fill composite Jen-Radiance Molar), Group 2 (restored with INFIBRA polyethylene fibers followed by same bulk-fill composite), and Group 3 (restored with RIBBOND polyethylene fibers followed by the same bulk-fill composite. Specimens were thermocycled for a total of 1000 cycles for a 20s. Fracture resistance testing was performed. Fracture patterns were examined under stereomicroscope. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey’s post hoc test to detect the significance difference between groups ( p = 0.05). Statistically significant differences in fracture resistance were observed among the three groups ( p < 0.001), with a moderate effect size. The Control group exhibited predominantly unfavorable failures (73.33%). In contrast, both the InFibra and Ribbond groups showed significantly higher percentages of favorable failures (80.00% each) compared to the Control group ( p < 0.001 for both). Adhesive failures occurred significantly more frequently in the InFibra and Ribbond (60.00%) groups. Cohesive restoration & substrate failures were significantly more common in the Control group (33.33%). Polyethylene fiber reinforcement did not improve the fracture resistance of mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) composite restorations; however, both systems significantly promoted more favorable, repairable failure patterns.
Related
- Microleakage of Class II resin composite restorations restored with conventional, bulk-fill, and short fiber-reinforced composites with or without polyethylene fiber reinforcement: a comparative in vitro study.
- Comparative evaluation of shear bond strength of composite restorations and glass-incorporated restorations with calcium silicate-based cement liner: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Crack-Width Threshold-Guided Design of Self-Healing Polyethylene Fiber-Reinforced Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECCs)
- Development of biocompatible and antibacterial chitosan polyethylene oxide nanocomposite films reinforced with zinc oxide graphene oxide for wound dressing applications
- Skin color affect the replacement of amalgam for composite in posterior restorations: a birth-cohort study
BibTeX
@article{elhaddad2026fracture,
title = {{Fracture resistance and failure patterns of MOD composite restorations reinforced with InFibra versus ribbond polyethylene fibers: an in vitro comparative study}},
author = {Esraa Esmeail H. Elhaddad and Dina Fayez S. Diab},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-71202-0},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-71202-0},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Fracture resistance and failure patterns of MOD composite restorations reinforced with InFibra versus ribbond polyethylene fibers: an in vitro comparative study
AU - Esraa Esmeail H. Elhaddad
AU - Dina Fayez S. Diab
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-71202-0
UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-71202-0
AB - Recent advancements in restorative materials, particularly fiber-reinforced composites, have enhanced the reinforcement of weakened teeth and improved their ability to withstand masticatory forces. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the biomechanical performance of InFibra and Ribbond in MOD cavity restorations by assessing fracture resistance under simulated masticatory loading and analyzing failure patterns. A total of 90 extracted, caries-free human mandibular molars were utilized. Standardized mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavities were prepared. The teeth were randomly allocated into three groups ( n = 30). Group 1 (control, restored with a bulk-fill composite Jen-Radiance Molar), Group 2 (restored with INFIBRA polyethylene fibers followed by same bulk-fill composite), and Group 3 (restored with RIBBOND polyethylene fibers followed by the same bulk-fill composite. Specimens were thermocycled for a total of 1000 cycles for a 20s. Fracture resistance testing was performed. Fracture patterns were examined under stereomicroscope. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey’s post hoc test to detect the significance difference between groups ( p = 0.05). Statistically significant differences in fracture resistance were observed among the three groups ( p < 0.001), with a moderate effect size. The Control group exhibited predominantly unfavorable failures (73.33%). In contrast, both the InFibra and Ribbond groups showed significantly higher percentages of favorable failures (80.00% each) compared to the Control group ( p < 0.001 for both). Adhesive failures occurred significantly more frequently in the InFibra and Ribbond (60.00%) groups. Cohesive restoration & substrate failures were significantly more common in the Control group (33.33%). Polyethylene fiber reinforcement did not improve the fracture resistance of mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) composite restorations; however, both systems significantly promoted more favorable, repairable failure patterns.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -