Abstract: An ultra high strength plastic mesh reinforcing material for forming a dental appliance or prosthesis, a method of fabricating a prosthesis therewith and a dental prosthesis made thereby are provided. The material is in the shape of a ribbon and formed of fibers, preferably of ultra high strength polyethylene, that are woven into a matrix in which yarns of the fibers preferably extend at angles to the transverse extent of the ribbon to permit the ribbon to be shaped through the adjusting of its width by a practitioner. Such yarns are preferably braided, so that diagonally angled fibers will result and no fibers are cut along the edges of the ribbon. The braid is preferably a two-over/two-under pattern that utilizes an odd number of carriers. The fibers are preferably surface activated, such as by a cold plasma treatment to enhance adherence of resin of which the appliance or prosthesis is formed.