Comparative Evaluation of Fracture Resistance of Three Commercially Available Resins for Provisional Restorations: An In vitro Study

Aims: To evaluate and compare the fracture resistance of three commercially available resins for provisional restorations.
Study Design: The fracture resistance of three commercially available resins for provisional restorations (DPI Dental Products India, SNAP, PROTEMP4) have been tested for three point bend test using Universal Testing Machine and the mean fracture resistance of each specimens were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge, V.K Institute of Dental Sciences, KLE University, Belgaum, Karnataka, India and Gogte Institute of Technology, Belgaum, Karnataka, India between March 2013 and December 2013.
Methodology: A Ni-Cr alloy master model with a 3-unit FPD, (Fixed Partial Denture) (abutment teeth 45 and 47) was fabricated. Provisional 3-unit FPD’s (5 samples each of DPI, SNAP, PROTEMP4) were produced by direct fabrication using the master model. Maximum force at fracture was determined using a universal testing machine.
Results: Comparison of the mean fracture resistance between the three groups was done using one way ANOVA. Statistically significant difference was present between the groups (p<0.05). Bonferroni test was applied and statistically significant difference was seen between DPI and Protemp4 but not between DPI and SNAP or between SNAP and Protemp4.Hence this suggested that Protemp4 significantly has higher fracture resistance when compared to DPI.
Conclusion: Bis-acryl composite resin (Protemp 4) was significantly superior in fracture resistance to ethyl methacrylate (SNAP) and methyl methacrylate (DPI) as a provisional restorative material for provisional restorations in fixed partial dentures.