Effect of Different Surface Treatments on Bonding of Flowable Short Fiber Reinforced Resin Composite to Conventional Resin Composite: Review of Literature

Dental resin composite materials have been the most frequently used materials for direct restorations nowadays. In small and medium-sized cavities, resin composite restorations have shown satisfactory overall clinical performance. However, in large-sized cavities RC restorations have proven to be more likely to fail due to fractures, resulting in shorter lifespans. A newly-recommended method for restoring large cavities is using short fiber-reinforced composite (SFRC) as dentine-replacing material due to their superior mechanical properties. However, according to the manufacturers’ recommendations, SFRC should be covered with a layer (1–2 mm) of PFC to ensure sufficient esthetic appearance. Using two different materials in this situation gives rise to a bi-layered restoration that consists of two different materials with two different properties. The adhesion quality between surface PFC and bulk base SFRC is crucial for restoration success and durability. The aim of this paper was to provide a comprehensive review of the effect of different surface treatments on bonding of flowable short fiber reinforced resin composite to conventional resin composite.