Debonding Behavior of Resin-Cemented Attachment-Housing Denture-Base Complexes Under Cyclic Mechanical Loading

Implant-supported overdentures improve denture retention and patient satisfaction, but debonding of attachment housings from the denture base remains a frequent prosthetic complication. This in vitro study evaluated the influence of attachment-housing and denture-base materials on debonding occurrence and maximum tensile force in resin-cemented attachment housing denture-base complexes subjected to cyclic mechanical loading. Thirty standardized specimens were digitally designed and fabricated from three denture-base materials-polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) (n = 12), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) (n = 12), and cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) (n = 6)-and combined with either titanium or PEEK attachment housings, which were bonded with a dual-polymerized resin cement. The specimens were subjected to 1100 cycles of alternating tensile and compressive loading, and debonding occurrence and maximum tensile force were recorded. Debonding occurred in 60% of the specimens and differed significantly among denture base materials. No debond-ing was observed in the Co-Cr specimens, whereas debonding occurred in 75% of the PMMA and PEEK specimens. The Co-Cr specimens also demonstrated significantly higher maximum tensile force values than the PMMA and PEEK groups, while regarding the attachment-housing material, no significant main effect was detected. Within the limitations of this in vitro study, the denture-base material, fabrication, and surface treatment combinations significantly influenced debonding and tensile force during cyclic loading, whereas the attachment-housing material did not demonstrate a significant main effect.