Reinforcement of Dental Methacrylate with Glass Fiber after Heated Silane Application

This study evaluated the influence of silane heat treatment and glass fiber fabrication type, industrially treated (I) or pure (P), on flexural and compressive strength of methacrylate resin bars (BISGMA/TEGDMA, 50/50%). Six groups (n = 10) were created: I-sil: I/silanated; P-sil: P-silanated; I-sil/heat: I/silanated heated to 100°; P-sil/heat: P/silanated heated to 100°; (I: I/not silanated; and P: P/not silanated. Specimens were prepared for flexural strength (10 × 2 × 1 mm) and for compressive strength 9.5 × 5.5 × 3 mm) and tested at 0.5 mm/min. Statistical analysis demonstrated the following for flexural strength (P < 0.05): I-sil: 155.89 ± 45.27(BC); P-sil: 155.89 ± 45.27(BC); I-sil/heat: 130.20 ± 22.11(C); P-sil/heat: 169.86 ± 50.29(AB); I: 131.87 ± 15.86(C). For compressive strength, the following are demonstrated: I-sil: 1367.25 ± 188.77(ab); P-sil: 867.61 ± 102.76(d); I-sil/heat: 1162.98 ± 222.07(c); P-sil/heat: 1499.35 ± 339.06(a); and I: 1245.78 ± 211.16(bc). Due to the impossibility of incorporating the stipulated amount of fiber, P group was excluded. Glass fiber treatment with heated silane enhanced flexural and compressive strength of a reinforced dental methacrylate.