Ribbond Fiber Reinforced

Composite
 History
The fiber reinforcement was not as
effective as in theory because poor
wetting of the fiber bundles by the
resin led to insufficient coupling or
even gaps between the fibers and
resin.
During testing, effective coupling
usually results in failure not at the fiber-
matrix interface but within the matrix"
 In the first, the dentist or laboratory technician
manually applies a low viscosity resin to the
fiber bundles
While it provides complete wetting, this
approach can be cumbersome and requires an
additional step in the procedure.
It does, however, offer versatility in the
selection of fibers and resin.
The alternate approach is to use fiber bundles
that have been pre-impregnated during a
controlled manufacturing process
 These complex process parameters
allow for high fiber content, complete
wetting, minimum void content, and
control of the cross-sectional
dimensions in pre-impregnated FRC
Most of the clinical failures were the
result of debonding of the retainers
from the tooth surface.
 The clinical failures occurred at the
adhesive-tooth interface, the
adhesivefiber composite interface,
or within the outer matrix of the
fiber-reinforced composite.
This study confirmed the adequate
mechanical properties of FRCs for
 In both systems, the main goals in
the fabrication of the framework are
to incorporate a sufficient amount of
fiber reinforcement, minimize voids,
and ensure strong bonding between
both the layers of pre-impregnated
fiber strips and the fiber framework
and restorative composite.
 Properties
fiber composites are heterogeneous
and anisotropic, meaning their
properties depend strongly on the
direction in which they are tested
relative to their fiber orientation.
 Woven polyethylene fiber products
such as Ribbond (Ribbond) and
Splint-It ( Jeneric/Pentron) are even
more manageable because of their
fiber architecture and the low
modulus of the fiber in compression
 While clinical performance is the final
determinant of success, flexure is
still the most widely reported
mechanical property, and test results
are useful in developing and
selecting new materials for clinical
use and in comparing products
 Chairside-fabricated fixed splints have
previously been made from material
combinations that have included resin
composites,wire,wire mesh,wire embedded in
amalgam and resin and fiber mesh embedded
in composite.
All of these materials suffered from various
problems: poor handling characteristics,
overbulking, insufficient bonding of the
internal structural materials to the dental
resins, and poor esthetic outcome
 Woven fiber is less technique-sensitive
and easier to manipulate because it
has less memory than unidirectional
fiber and is the best choice for rotated
or malpositioned teeth.
Unidirectional fiber has greater flexure
strength and rigidity and is the better
choice for high stress situations.
 Currently, two categories of fiber
reinforcement material can be used
for intraoral use:
pre-impregnated and nonpre-
impregnated (
 The Ribbond Reinforcement Ribbon is
available in a 1.0-mm width for
orthodontic stabilization and 2.0-,
3.0-, and 4.0-mm widths for tooth
stabilization and tooth replacement
 If the natural tooth is unsalvagable and must be
extracted, it can be used as the pontic.
The length of the tooth is determined by measuring from
the extraction site to the incisal edge of the adjacent
teeth; the root is then cut from the tooth crown at this
determined length.
The root canal opening at the apical end is restored by
preparing the root canal with a 330 bur to a depth of 1.5
mm.
The preparation is restored with particulate composite
using an adhesive technique.
The technique for placing the natural tooth crown is
similar to that for a denture tooth
 advantages
strength;
desirable esthetic characteristics;
ease of use
adaptability to various shapes; and
potential for direct bonding to tooth
structure.
 The new generation fiber reinforced splinting materials (Ribbond) have
several advantages over conventional splints such as
Strong, unsurpassed fracture toughness
Superior ease of use and manageability
Does not unravel, fall apart or rebound when cut or adapted
Indefinite shelf life, no waste cost effective
Safe and biocompatible
The unique combination of strength, esthetics and bondability
It is translucent, practically colorless and disappears within the composite
Physically, the open geometry of the tightly woven leno weave allows for
complete infusion and wet-out of the fibers by resin.
They are the standard in biocompatibility and having virtually no memory
can adapt efficiently along the contours of the teeth and the dental arch.
They offer excellent esthetics, translucent, colorless allowing the use of
light cure composites.
 Ribbond prostheses are strong and maintain
their strength with continued use.
They are tough and durable.
Ribbond's unique combination of ultra-high
strength fibers, enhanced bondability and
patented cross-link lock-stitch leno weave
makes the strength and fracture toughness
of Ribbond reinforced prostheses
unsurpassed by other fiber reinforcements.
 Ribbond is made from the same
ultra-high molecular weight
polyethylene fibers used to make
bulletproof vests.
These fibers far exceed the breaking
point of fiberglass and are so tough
that specially made scissors are
required to cut them.
Unlike Kevlar, Ribbond's fibers absorb
less moisture than the dental resins
Patented Leno Weave = Superior Manageablilty

The key to Ribbond's success (and what distinguishes

Ribbond from the other fiber reinforcements) is its patented
leno weave.
Designed with a lock-stitch feature that effectively transfers
forces throughout the weave without stress transfer back
into the resin, Ribbond's weave also provides excellent
manageability characteristics.
Having virtually no memory, Ribbond adapts to the contours
of the teeth and dental arch. For example; when making a
periodontal splint, Ribbond tucks in interproximally without
rebounding.
In addition, unlike loosely braided or bundles of unidirectional
fibers, Ribbond does not spread or fall apart when
manipulated.
 Ribbond's Patented Cross-Link
Lock-Stitch Leno Weave
Adaptable and Manageable
Does not unravel when cut or
manipulated
Reinforces multi-directionally
Durable & impact absorbent
Transfers stresses efficiently
throughout the fiber network
 Esthetic

Ribbond is translucent, practically

colorless and disappears within the
composite or acrylic without show-
through. Not only does Ribbond offer
excellent esthetics, its translucency
also allows the use of light cured
composites.
 Biocompatible

Ribbond's fibers are the standard in

biocompatibility. The same material
is also used in the construction of
artificial hip and knee joints. Unlike
fiberglass, if at anytime the Ribbond
is cut into with a rotary instrument,
the resultant particles and exposed
fibers will not be a biocompatibility
risk to the patient
 Highly bondable
complete incorporation of the resin
to Ribbond's fibers (note lack of
voids). Forces within the resin are
easily transferred to the fibers
insuring that the Ribbond is an
integral strength member of the
prostheses.
 Versatile

The unique combination of strength,

esthetics and bondability allows
Ribbond to be used for many
different applications. Ribbond bonds
to both composite and acrylic giving
you a material with multiple uses
 Fiber Configuration:
Ribbond's patented cross-link lock stitch leno
weave provides unsurpassed manageability
without compromising its multi-directional integrity
and its ability to reinforce the composite.
This patented weave's lock stitch feature prevents
slippage of the fibers within the resin.
Unidirectional fibers or woven reinforcements that
spread apart when adapted will be more
susceptible to slippage and crack propagation
throughout the resin matrix when the prosthesis is
stressed in use
 Lack of Memory and
Manageability:
Perhaps as important as weave stability is a
fiber reinforcement's lack of memory.
Materials that rebound will not only result in
excessive bulkiness, but will also
compromise its laminated effect.
Ribbond is virtually memory-free which
insures close and accurate adaptation.
In the case of a periodontal splint, placing
the fibers closely against the tooth surface
makes a laminate structure
 A fiber-reinforced composite is strong when the
fiber is laminated closely to the teeth but
prone to cohesive failure of the resin when the
fiber is not closely adapted to the teeth. An
example of this laminate phenomenon is the
strength of a porcelain veneer when laminated
closely to a tooth.
In the case of a bridges or other stress-bearing
freestanding structures, fibers can be made
into a laminate by placing them in multiple
layers
 Biocompatibility
Unlike fiberglass, if at anytime the
Ribbond is cut into with a rotary
instrument, the resultant particles
and exposed fibers will not be a
biocompatibility risk to the patient.
 Indefinite Shelf Life
Ribbond has an indefinite shelf life
and does not require refrigeration,
maximizing cost effectiveness.
 Ribbond fibers vs. glass
fibers.
glass fibers are brittle and are not fracture
tough.
Ribbonds superior manageability allows for the
most accurate placement of any fiber
reinforcement. Accurate and close placement
against the surfaces of the teeth minimizes the
bond line and maximizes the laminate effect.
Ribbonds superior manageability and superior
fracture toughness provides the most clinically
dependable fiber reinforcement on the market