Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 18, 2025
Quasistatic Mechanical Testing for Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing Occlusal Veneers Cemented to Milled Dentin Analog Material
Published on: December 20, 2024
Polyetheretherketone versus titanium CAD-CAM framework for implant-supported fixed complete dentures: a retrospective
Jing Wang1,2, Peng Wu3, Hai-Lin Liu4
1National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Purpose:
To evaluate the performance of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) versus titanium computer-aided designed and manufactured (CAD-CAM) framework for implant-supported fixed complete dentures (ISFCDs) with a follow-up for a duration of up to 5 years.
Methods:
Consecutively edentulous patients who underwent ISFCDs with a PEEK framework or titanium framework at one dental specialist center were included in this retrospective study. Implant/prosthesis survival rates, mechanical/biological complications, and bone and soft tissue parameters were analyzed. Overall survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test.
Results:
Sixty ISFCDs (29 PEEK, 31 titanium) performed on 43 edentulous patients (331 implants) were included. An implant survival rate of 100% was obtained. There was no significant difference in the cumulative prosthesis survival rate between the PEEK (93.1%) and titanium groups (93.5%). The most common mechanical complications were fracture of the artificial veneer in both the PEEK (13.8%) and titanium (16.7%) groups. Bruxers had a higher prevalence of mechanical complications than non-bruxers (p<0.05). The biological complications included bleeding upon probing (13.8% for the PEEK group; 16.1% for the titanium group), soft tissue inflammation (3.4% for the PEEK group; 3.2% for the titanium group), and temporomandibular disorders (6.5% for the titanium group). The vertical bone loss was significantly lower in the PEEK group (0.70 mm) than in the titanium group (0.96 mm). Smokers had a significantly higher prevalence of biological complications than non-smokers.
Conclusion:
Within the limitations of this study, ISFCDs with PEEK frameworks can provide good prognosis for edentulous patients, still requiring longer-term validation.
