The effect of adding pineapple leaf microfibers (Ananas comosus L. Merr) to packable composite resin on flexural strength

Composite resin is a restorative material often used for the aesthetic restoration of anterior and posterior teeth. Packable composite resin is indicated for posterior teeth because its resistance to pressure can reduce the problem of loss of contact. Flexural strength is a combination of compressive stress and tensile stress on the restoration of the teeth in the anterior and posterior areas while functioning in the oral cavity. A restorative material that cannot withstand the flexural force continuously can cause fractures. The addition of microfiber is capable of increasing the strength and mechanical properties, including the flexural strength of packable composite resin. This study aims to determine the influence of the addition of discontinuous microfiber on the flexural strength of packable composite resin. This type of research is a true experimental laboratory study with a post-test only control group design. The study used a total of 16 packable composite samples, divided into two groups: the control group without added discontinuous microfiber from pineapple leaf and the treatment group with the addition of discontinuous microfiber from pineapple leaf.