[Analysis of polyetheretherketone framework on the stress distribution of implant-supported fixed maxillary prosthesis: 3-D finite element analysis].

Purpose: To analyze the stress distribution of polyetheretherketone framework of implant-supported fixed maxillary prosthesis by three-dimensional finite element method.

Methods: Three dimensional finite element model of implant-supported fixed maxillary prosthesis was established. Polyetheretherketone as framework material, resin, zirconia, PEEK, baked plastic and lithium silicate were used to make crown prosthesis as experimental group, pure titanium and monolithic zirconia prosthesis model was used as control group. The feasibility of PEEK framework was analyzed by loading 150N axially and obliquely on the first molar, and the maximum compressive stress, minimum tensile stress and von Mises principal stress of the framework, crown, screw, implant, cortical and cancellous bone were measured and compared.

Results: Under axially loading, the von Mises stress in the monolithic zirconia and lithium silicate crowns were 361 MPa and 295 MPa, while the stress in resin and PEEK crowns were 35 MPa and 37 MPa, respectively. The screw von Mises stress of the experimental group was 694-724 MPa, which was much higher than 61 MPa of the control group.The maximum and minimum stresses of the screw appeared in the resin crown and PEEK crown group. Under oblique loading,von Mises stress of the framework in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group, but the maximum stress appeared in the resin crown and PEEK crown. von Mises stresses of monolic zirconia and lithium disilicate crowns in the experimental group were higher than that of resin and PEEK crowns. von Mises stress of the implant in the experimental group was twice that of the control group. von Mises stress in screw of the experimental group was much higher than that of the control group, and the maximum stress was 22 times that of the control group. The stresses of cancellous bone and cortical bone in the experimental group were twice that of the control group, and the differences were larger than that under vertical loading.

Conclusions: In order to reduce the stress of crowns,resin or PEEK materials are preferred to be used as the crown prosthesis when PEEK was framework of implant-supported fixed maxillary prosthesis. Reducing the cantilever and lateral force may avoid excessive stress in screw.