Biomechanical Behavior of Carbon Fiber‑Reinforced Polyetheretherketone as a Dental Implant Material in Implant‑Supported Overdenture under Mandibular Trauma: A Finite Element Analysis Study

Abstract

Context: Implant‑supported overdentures are well‑known and widely accepted treatment modality to increase retention which is a  crucial factor for determining patient satisfaction. The placement of two implants in the anterior region can be selected as a first‑line  treatment in patients with the atrophic mandibular ridge. 

Aims: The purpose of this research was to assess the biomechanical effects of  carbon fiber‑reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR‑PEEK) implant‑supported overdenture in the event of 2,000 N forefront trauma to an  atrophic edentulous mandible by using the finite element analysis method. 

Materials and Methods: Three types of mandible models were  simulated; the first one was an edentulous atrophic mandible model; in the second model, 3.5 × 11.5 mm CFR‑PEEK implants; and in  the third model, 4.3 × 11.5 mm CFR‑PEEK implants were positioned in the region of the lateral incisor of the identical edentulous  atrophic mandible. 

Results: Maximum Von Misses stresses 979.261 MPa, 1,454.69 MPa, and 1,940.71 MPa and maximum principal  stresses 1,112.74 MPa, 1,249.88 MPa, and 1,251.33 MPa have been detected at the condylar neck area and minimum principal stresses −  1,203.38 MPa, −1,503.21 MPa, and − 1,990.34 MPa have been recorded at the symphysis and corpus regions from M1 to M3, respectively.  In addition, the M2 and M3 models showed low‑stress distributions around the implant–bone interface, particularly where the implants  were in contact with cancellous bone. 

Conclusions: The results showed that the insertion of different diameters of CFR‑PEEK implants led  to low and homogenous stress distribution all around the implant–bone interface and stresses transferred directly to the condylar  neck areas. Therefore, it was observed that CRF‑PEEK implants did not change the basic behavior of the mandibula in response to frontal  stresses.