Mechanical Property Evaluation of Fiber-Reinforced and Fabric-Reinforced Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Temporary Filling Materials

Zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) is usually applied clinically as dental filling material for thermal insulation and temporary restoration. The objective of this study was to use ZOE as a composite matrix and low melting-point polyester fibers or fabrics as reinforcement. The added fibers or fabrics increased the composite materials’ compressive load by 250 N and 290 N, respectively. Fiber length and thermal-drying temperatures had no significant influence on setting time (p>0.05), but the degree of solubility of the filling material had statistical significance (p<0.05). Only the compressive load results were raised at the end of the curve. The optimum compressive load results, 290 N and 331 N, were observed in the 10 mm PET fiber processed at 130 °C. With its excellent compressive load, this composite material has the ability to sustain a bigger bite force; thus, the fiber-reinforced or fabric-reinforced composite materials are feasible for temporary clinical dental treatment.