Stress and Strain Studies of Different Materials of the Dental Implant in Single Implant-Supported Prosthesis: A Finite Element Analysis

Background and Objective: The elastic modulus of carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone is close to that of bone tissue and has proven to be an excellent substitute for titanium implants in orthopedic applications.The purpose of this 3D finite element analysis study was to evaluate the stress and strain distribution of different carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone implants in a single implant-supported prosthesis.<br><br>Methods: Implants composed of titanium, pure polyetheretherketone (PEEK), 30% short carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone ( 30% S CFR-PEEK ), and 60% parallel oriented endless carbon fibers reinforced polyetheretherketone (60% CCFR-PEEK) in four types of bone (D1-D4) were subjected to axial and inclined loading conditions. 32 models were developed with Mimics19.0, Geomagic Studio ® , and SolidWorks2018 software, and processed using Ansys Workbench18.0 programs. Axial and oblique forces of 100 N, respectively, were applied at the occlusal surface of prostheses. The von Mises stress and strain were obtained from the peri-implant cortical bone and cancellous bone of each model.<br><br>Results: The stress distribution of the cortical bone around the neck of the PEEK implant and 30%SCFR-PEEK implant was more uniform than that of the titanium implant and 60%CCFR-PEEK implant in D2, D3, and D4 bone. There was a significant stress reduction zone in the cortical bone around the neck of the titanium implant and 60% CCFR-PEEK implant. In D2 , D3, and D4 bone, the stress and strain of bone tissue around the PEEK implant were mainly concentrated in the neck of the implant, while the stress and strain of bone tissue around the titanium implant and 60%CCFR-PEEK implant was mainly concentrated in the bottom of implants. The 30%SCFR-PEEK implant had consistent stress and strain distribution in the bone tissue around the neck and bottom. Under oblique loading, in D2, D3, and D4 bone, the strain of bone tissue around the PEEK implant was concentrated in the lingual neck of implants, and the maximum strain exceeded the physiological strain range of bone tissue.<br><br>Conclusions: 30% short carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone may produce uniform stress and strain distribution in the surrounding bone tissue. Therefore, it may be a promising non-metallic dental implant material.