Precision of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or cobalt-chrome implant bar fit to implants after mechanical cycling.

Based on its mechanical properties, PEEK (polyether-ether-ketone) might be useful in restorative procedures. In oral rehabilitation, its viability has been studied mainly for prostheses and dental implants.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fit accuracy of dental implant bars made of either PEEK or cobalt-chrome submitted to cycling mechanics.

Materials and method: This was an experimental in vitro study, where units were treated with two implants and mini-abutments, joined by cobalt-chrome or polyether-ether-ketone PEEK bars. A total 20 bars were prepared (n=10 per group) and subjected to mechanical cycling tests (1 million cycles on the distal cantilever of the bar in the vertical direction, 120N and sinusoidal loading, at a frequency of 2Hz). The fit at the abutment/implant interface was measured before and after cycling, and the counter-torque of the vertical screw of the mini abutments was measured after cycling, using a digital torquemeter. Data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA and Tukey's test at 5% significance level.

Results: No statistically significant interaction was found among the three factors considered (bar material, implant positioning and mechanical cycling) (p = 0.592). No significant difference was identified in the interaction between bar material and implant positioning (p = 0.321), or between implant positioning and mechanical cycling (p = 0.503). The association between bar material and mechanical cycling was statistically significant (p = 0.007), with the cobalt-chrome bar resulting in greater misfit with mechanical cycling. There was no difference in counter-torque values between groups.

Conclusions: The PEEK bar provided better fit of the mini abutments to the implants, even after mechanical cycling. The counter-torque of the screws was similar in all scenarios considered.