Finite element comparison of titanium and polyetheretherketone materials for mandibular defect reconstruction.

Objective: To evaluate the biomechanical performance of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and titanium alloys in a base-type fixation system for mandibular defect reconstruction following partial resection due to tumors, trauma, or cancer, using finite element analysis.

Methods: Finite element analysis was conducted to simulate a fixation system made from titanium alloys, including pure titanium (Ti), Ti6Al4V (TC4), and Ti35Nb7Zr5Ta (TiNb), as well as PEEK materials, including unmodified PEEK, glass fiber-reinforced PEEK (GFR-PEEK), and carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK (CFR-PEEK). The biomechanical performance of these materials was compared.

Results: The PEEK-based fixation systems generated higher maximum stress on the mandible and fibula compared to the titanium alloy systems, particularly with the GFR-PEEK fixation system. When loaded in the anterior region, the maximum stress on the mandible exceeded its yield strength, indicating that both PEEK and GFR-PEEK are unsuitable for mandibular defect repair. CFR-PEEK, however, exhibited more favorable stress distribution, making it a better candidate for these applications.

Conclusion: Prolonged low stress on the bone may result in resorption or degeneration. Among the materials analyzed, CFR-PEEK demonstrated the most stable performance, suggesting it as the optimal choice for mandibular defect repair in fixation systems.