Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2026

Shrinkage of Dental Composite in Simulated Cavity Measured with Digital Image Correlation
Published on: July 21, 2014
One-year clinical performance of polyethylene fiber-reinforced direct composite restorations in endodontically
Furkan Kozakoğlu1, Merve Gürses2
1Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, Karaman, Türkiye. furkankozakoglu@kmu.edu.tr.
Objectives:
This study evaluated the 1-year clinical performance of polyethylene fiber-reinforced direct composite restorations placed in different orientations in endodontically treated premolars and molars.
Materials And Methods:
Eighty-five patients with 90 endodontically treated posterior teeth (32 premolars, 58 molars) received direct composite restorations using Clearfil SE Bond (Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc., Japan), G-aenial Universal Injectable and G-aenial A'CHORD (GC Corp., Japan), and polyethylene fiber (Ribbond, Ribbond Inc., USA). According to cavity configuration, fibers were placed in circumferential (O), mesiodistal (MD), or buccolingual (BL) orientations. Clinical performance was assessed using modified USPHS criteria at 7 days, 6 months, and 12 months.
Results:
All restorations maintained Alpha scores for color match and secondary caries throughout the study period. At 12 months, limited Bravo scores were observed for retention, marginal discoloration, marginal adaptation, anatomical form, and surface texture. One restoration in the MD group received a Charlie score for retention and required replacement. No statistically significant differences were detected among the three fiber-orientation groups for any evaluated parameter (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
Polyethylene fiber-reinforced direct composite restorations demonstrated favorable short-term clinical performance in endodontically treated posterior teeth. Fiber orientation did not significantly influence clinical outcomes.

