The physical strength of ceramic reinforced polyetheretherketone on titanium base implant abutment compared to polyetheretherketone and zirconia

Abstract

Introduction: Ceramic reinforced polyetheretherketone is one of the high-performance tooth-colored materials which is used in many prosthodontic aspects. As a substructure on titanium base implant abutments, there are few studies have focused on its physical properties. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the physical strength between CAD/CAM polyetheretherketone (PEEK), ceramic reinforced polyetheretherketone (CR-PEEK), and zirconia on titanium base abutments after static breaking test. Materials and Methods: Fifteen custom abutment substructure on titanium base abutment were divided equally into three groups: PEEK, CR-PEEK, and zirconia. All specimens were fabricated identically in dimension and created under manufacturers’ protocol. Static load was applied to the specimens at 30° ± 2° angle until failure. The testing protocol was designed according to ISO 14801. The data was recorded as the maximum deformation load (MDL), ultimate load (UL) and maximum breaking load (MBL) which defined on the load-displacement curve. The data value between groups was statistically analyzed using parametric analysis. Result: The mean MDL, UL, and MBL numbers of CR-PEEK group were 669.84 ± 79.08 N, 808.76 ± 121.20 N, and 655.14 ± 70.85 N, PEEK group were 633.48 ± 136.61 N, 819.63 ± 126.48 N, and 673.35 ± 48.37 N and zirconia group were 728.84 ± 207.26 N, 888.86 ± 329.21 N, and 725.84 ± 122.39 N respectively. There was no significant difference between all the MDL, UL, MBL values in any material types. Conclusion: Based on this in vitro study, the static breaking test of ceramic reinforced polyetheretherketone substructure on titanium base abutments were not significantly different from other tooth-color materials.