RESUMO
PURPOSE: To evaluate the flexural strength of two fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) designs simulating frameworks of adhesive fixed partial prostheses, reinforced or not by glass fiber. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty specimens, made with composite resin, were divided into 4 groups according to the framework design and the presence of fiber reinforcement: A1 - occlusal support; A2: occlusal support + glass fiber; B1: occlusal and proximal supports; B2: occlusal and proximal supports + glass fiber. The specimens were subjected to the three-point bending test, and the data were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (5%). RESULTS: Group A2 (97.9 ± 38 N) was statistically significantly different from all other experimental groups, presenting a significantly lower mean flexural strength. CONCLUSION: The use of glass fibers did not improve the flexural strength of composite resin, and designs with occlusal and proximal supports presented better results than designs simulating only occlusal support.