Fracture strength of poly ether ether ketone abutment over short implant after fatigue

Abstract

Abstract Background Poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) crowns and abutments can be used to fabricate esthetic and stable implant supported single tooth abutment and short implants can be used to avoid problems and contraindication of standard implants. The aim of this work was to evaluate fracture strength of PEEK abutment over short implant after fatigue. Methods This experimental laboratory study was carried out on 40 implants. Implants were categorized into two equal groups: group I: short implants which subdivided into two equal groups (group IA: PEEK abutments and group IB: Titanium abutments), and group II: standard implants which subdivided into two equal groups (group IIA: PEEK abutments and group IIB: Titanium abutments). Zirconia crowns were fabricated and cemented to abutments with resin cement and artificially aged through dynamic loading by chewing simulator to stimulate 3 months clinically. Results All test specimens survived the artificial aging process using simulated oral conditions. Group (GIIA) show the highest fracture resistance with the mean value (1526.81 ± 2.91) followed by group (GIA) (1265.32 ± 1.06) then group (GIIB) (1095.44 ± 0.84) and finally group (GIB) (1086.99 ± 1.52), there was highly significance difference between short and standard implants. The effect of abutment material there was also highly significant difference between PEEK and titanium Abutments, group (GIIA) under electron microscope showed unfavorable fracture while all other groups showed favorable fracture only. Conclusions The highest fracture strength was found in zirconia crowns cemented to PEEK abutment over standard implant, The lowest fracture strength was found in zirconia crowns cemented to titanium abutment over short implant and Standard implants have favorable stress distribution than short implants under loading.