Textile preforms for dental applications

Dentistry has advanced to the use of FRCs, which helps patients to live their lifetime with their dentition intact. A large number of developments in the field of fibrous composite implants and devices for orthopaedic and dental applications have taken place. The present paper discusses the applications of fibre- and textile-reinforced composites in dental practices, mainly focussing on periodontal splinting. The conventional methods of splinting and the design & use of fibre-reinforced composites as restoratives to stabilise and splint teeth have been discussed in detail. The current controversy of incorporating implants in patients requiring splinting is discussed in relation to the various fibres applied as reinforcement for the splinting material.