Stress distribution in bone around an implant-supported three-unit fixed dental prosthesis using two different computer-aided designing/computer-aided milling provisional crown materials: Milled polymethylmethacrylate and milled polyetheretherketone – A finite element analysis

BACKGROUND: Occlusal loading of osseointegrated implants is believed to be an essential determining factor in the long-term success of an implant treatment. Numerous studies have been conducted on the evaluation of stress distribution by definitive restoration materials for Implant-supported fixed prosthesis, but very few have evaluated provisional restoration materials for the same. This study aims to evaluate the influence of provisional restoration material – Milled Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and Milled Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), over stress distribution on the peri-implant bone around an implant-supported three-unit, fixed dental prosthesis using finite element analysis method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional models of a pair of bone-level implant system and titanium base abutments were created using the standard tessellation language data of original implant components. A bone block representing the mandibular posterior area was created, and the implants were placed in the bone block with 100% osseointegration in the 2nd premolar to 2nd molar region. A superstructure of an implant-supported 3-unit bridge was modeled on top of the abutments, each crown to be 8 mm in height and with an outer diameter of 6 mm in 2(nd) premolar region and 10 mm in 1(st) molar and 2(nd) molar region. Two different models were created according to combinations of provisional restoration materials, namely, Milled PMMA and Milled PEEK based on. In each model, the implants were loaded vertically (300 N) and obliquely (150 N at 30°). The stress distribution in the cortical bone, cancellous bone, and implant was evaluated through the von Mises stress analysis. RESULTS: The results showed no difference in stress distribution due to the different provisional restorations – Milled PMMA and Milled PEEK. In addition, the vertical load resulted in higher stress values in the implant components, cortical bone, and cancellous bone in both PEEK and PMMA models as compared to oblique loading. CONCLUSION: The new polymer, PEEK was seen to provide comparable stress generation in the current study without exceeding the physiological limits of peri-implant bone. Thus, it can be considered as a good alternative to PMMA resin as a provisional crown material since it provides certain additional benefits.