Biomechanical Behavior of Polyether Ether Ketone Composite Dental Implants: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element...

This study aimed to assess the biomechanical performance of polyether ether ketone implants in their unmodified form and composite forms reinforced with carbon fibers, glass fibers, hydroxyapatite, and strontium-hydroxyapatite, using finite element analysis across both low- and high-density bone conditions.

By using a three-dimensional computer-aided design software (SolidWorks, SolidWorks Corp., Waltham, Massachusetts, United States), finite element models of both unmodified and composite polyether ether ketone implants were developed for low and high bone densities. These models were analyzed using the ANSYS 8.0 simulation platform (Ansys, Inc., Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, United States) under vertical, oblique, and combined loading conditions, applying a force of 100 newtons. Stress and deformation levels were assessed using the von Mises stress criteria.

The unmodified polyether ether ketone implant showed the highest stress and deformation, whereas the carbon fiber-reinforced implant showed the lowest. Stress was more pronounced in low-density bone. All implants concentrated stress in the cervical region. For the unmodified implant, stress values were 34.59, 48.8, and 82.9 megapascals under vertical, oblique, and combined loads, respectively. In comparison, the carbon fiber-reinforced implant showed values of 28.53, 44.88, and 70.95 megapascals under the same conditions.

The carbon fiber-reinforced polyether ether ketone implant demonstrated the most favorable biomechanical characteristics, suggesting its potential for effective clinical use, especially across varying bone densities.