• Vincenzo Vertucci, Benedetta Marrelli, Roberta Ruggiero, Mario Iaquinta, Gaetano Marenzi, Gian Marco Parisi, Roberta Gasparro, Andrea Pacifici, Gianfranco Palumbo, Gilberto Sammartino, and Marco Tatullo.
• Tecnologica Research Institute - Marrelli Health, 88900 Crotone, Italy.
• Int J Med Sci. 2023 Jan 1; 20 (5): 639651639-651.

AbstractZirconia and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) are two biomaterials widely investigated as substitute for metals in oral prosthetic rehabilitation. To achieve a proper biomechanical behavior, the prosthetic biomaterials must ensure a good resistance to loads, as this is a crucial characteristic enabling their use in dental applications. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the fracture resistance of different biomaterials in an experimental environment: fixed partial dentures (FPDs) screwed in a prototype of biomimetic mandible. 10 Samples of FPDs were allocated in 2 groups (A and B): Group A (n=5) involved FPDs in zirconia-ceramic, and Group B (n=5) involved FPDs in PEEK-composite. The samples were loaded by means of a three-point bending mechanical test, and the load to fracture has been evaluated generating a point-by-point graphics (speed/load and time/deformation). The samples were further analyzed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and described under experimental loading conditions. Zirconia-ceramic FDPs were the samples reporting the worst results, showing a lower value of vertical displacement with respect to PEEK-based samples. The micro-CT results have further confirmed the preliminary results previously described. This in vitro study aims to give analytic data on the reliability of PEEK as a reliable and strong biomaterial for prosthetic treatments.© The author(s).

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