Fibrous composite materials in dentistry and orthopaedics: review and applications

In this report, the usage of fibrous composite materials in dentistry and orthopaedics is reviewed. Furthermore, the authors introduced functionally graded composite dental post, aesthetic composite archwires and brackets, and braided carbon/PEEK composite compression bone plate. Functionally graded composite dental post has continuously varied stiffness and this function successfully solved stress concentration at the root. Aesthetic composite archwires made of glass/epoxy unidirectional composite has targeted to obtain the highest bending performance by interface control. An epoxysilane coupling agent with 1.0 wt.% solvent showed the highest bending performance. Aesthetic composite bracket has fabricated by braided preform in order to reinforce tiewing slot where orthodontic force is applied through an archwire. Composite brackets have indicated around 43% mechanical resistance of stainless-steel bracket at tie-wing slot. Bending performance of the braided composite compression bone plates is investigated. The result indicates that the braided composite plate with 2.6 mm thickness can be suitable for forearm treatment whereas the braided composite plate of 3.2 mm thickness is applicable to femur or tibia fixation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.