Complete denture fabrication with polyetherketoneketone as a framework material: A clinical report

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Prosthetics
• Digital Dentistry

Background:

• Conventional complete dentures often utilize metal or acrylic frameworks.
• Exploring novel, biocompatible, and high-performance polymers is crucial for improving denture longevity and patient comfort.
• Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) offers promising mechanical properties for dental applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the fabrication process of complete dentures using PEKK frameworks.
• To evaluate the clinical outcomes and complications of PEKK-based complete dentures.
• To assess the 1-year performance of CAD-CAM fabricated PEKK denture frameworks.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of complete denture frameworks using polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) material.
• Utilizing computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) for framework production.
• Clinical follow-up of patients for 1 year to monitor biologic and prosthetic status.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of conventional complete dentures with PEKK frameworks was achieved.
• No biologic complications (e.g., tissue irritation, allergic reactions) were reported in the 1-year follow-up.
• No prosthetic complications (e.g., framework fracture, debonding) were observed during the 1-year follow-up period.

Conclusions:

• CAD-CAM fabricated PEKK frameworks are suitable for conventional complete dentures.
• PEKK demonstrates excellent biocompatibility and prosthetic stability in complete denture applications.
• This clinical report supports PEKK as a promising material for advanced denture fabrication.