Effect of different techniques on the fracture resistance of polyetheretherketone fixed dental prostheses

Research Abstract

Effect of different techniques on the fracture resistance of polyetheretherketone fixed dental prostheses Abstract Statement of problem. Investigations regarding polyetheretherketone (PEEK) as an alternative restorative material are scarce. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different fabrication techniques on the fracture resistance of polyetheretherketone fixed dental prostheses. Materials and methods. Two stainless steel master dies were designed to simulate a prepared second lower molar and a second lower premolar to receive all-ceramic bridges. Twenty one PEEK frameworks were produced and divided into three groups (n=7) according to the construction technique; (PC): milled from a pre-fabricated PEEK blank using a CAD/CAM system, (PP): pressed from pre-fabricated PEEK pellets, and (PG): pressed from PEEK granules, in addition; seven zirconia frameworks were produced using the same CAD/CAM system and served as control. The frameworks were cyclic loaded in a chewing simulator and then subjected to fracture resistance test in a universal testing machine. Data were statistically analyzed using 1-way ANOVA and pair-wise Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) test to study the difference between groups mean values (P ≤ 0.05). Results. Mean (SD) failure loads were (1500.431±18.02N) for the zirconia CAD/CAM group, (1054.767±134.88N) for pressed PEEK pellets group, and (950.967±66.8N) for pressed PEEK granules group. The lowest statistically significant fracture resistance mean value was found in the PEEK CAD/CAM group (795.033±87.74N). The difference between pressed and milled groups was statistically significant as indicated by ANOVA-test (P<0.0001<0.05). In addition, no significant difference (P>0.05) was found between pressed PEEK pellets and granules as indicated by the Pair-wise Tukey (HSD) test. Conclusions. PEEK CAD/CAM fabricated frameworks showed significantly lower fracture resistance values than PEEK pressed frameworks. The applied cyclic loading force had no significant effect on the fracture load of all evaluated PEEK frameworks. Clinical Implications. PEEK can be considered a promising alternative framework material for posterior restorations.

Research Keywords

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