The effect of thermo-mechanical fatigue on the retentive force and dimensional changes in polyetheretherketone clasps with different thickness and undercut

PURPOSE: Esthetic expectations have increased the use of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) clasps as alternatives to Cr-Co in removable partial dentures (RPDs). The objective of this study was to evaluate the retentive force and dimensional change of clasps with different thickness and undercut made from PEEK by the thermo-mechanical fatigue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PEEK clasps (N = 48) with thicknesses of 1 or 1.50 mm and 48 premolar monolithic zirconia crowns with undercuts of 0.25 mm or 0.50 mm were fabricated. Samples are divided into four groups (C1-C4) and were subjected to 7200 thermal aging cycles (at 5 - 55℃). The changes in the retentive force and dimensions of the clasps were measured by micro-stress testing and micro-CT devices from five measurement points (M1 - M5). One-way ANOVA, paired t-test, two-way repeated ANOVA, and post-hoc tests were used to analyze the data (P < .05). RESULTS: The retentive forces of C1, C2, C3, and C4 groups in initial and final test were found to be 4.389-3.388 N, 4.67 - 3.396 N, 5.161 - 4.096 N, 5.459 - 4.141 N, respectively. The effects of retentive force of all PEEK clasps groups were significant decreased. Thermo-mechanical cycles caused significant dimensional changes at points with M2, M4, and M5, and abraded the clasp corners and increased the distance between the ends of the clasp, resulting in reduced retentive forces (P(*) = .016, P(*) = .042, P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Thermo-mechanical aging decreases the retentive forces in PEEK clasps. Increasing the thickness and undercut amount of clasps decreases the amount of dimensional change. The values measured after aging are within the clinically acceptable limits.