Abstract
Recent advancements in biomimetic dentistry have introduced innovative materials designed to better simulate natural dentin. One such material is Ribbond(®), long polyethylene fiber. It is particularly effective in absorbing and redistributing masticatory forces in teeth with substantial dentin loss. This review aims to analyze the literature on the biomimetic restorative technique using long polyethylene fiber and assess its benefits and indications relative to traditional cusp coverage restorations. METHODS: A search was conducted in the PubMed database until March 2024. The authors selected in vitro studies that studied long polyethylene fiber as a dentin reinforcement. RESULTS: From 247 potentially relevant articles, eighteen studies were included in the review. A detailed analysis of the reviewed literature was summarized into three principal sections involving the use of long polyethylene fiber in restorative dentistry. CONCLUSIONS: Long polyethylene fibers improve fracture resistance and promote favorable fracture modes, helping to mitigate the shrinkage forces in composite restorations. However, their clinical significance over traditional cusp coverage is unclear.