Assessment of different materials used for fabrication of fixed free fixed dental prostheses: finite element analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background This research assessed three materials to be used in the fabrication of fixed free fixed dental prosthesis using finite element analysis. Total deformation, Von Mises stress maximum amounts and sites on both the bone, and the fixed dental prosthesis body were compared. Methods 3D finite element model was made for the tested fixed dental prosthesis and a contact scanner was used. A fixed free dental prosthesis was made restoring the maxillary first premolar, where second premolar with first molar were the supporting abutments that were scanned. Porcelain fused to metal, CEREC Tessera (Dentsply Sirona) and Poly-Ether-Ketone-Ketone were assessed as fixed free dental prosthesis materials. Cement thickness was adjusted to 40 microns. 100 N vertical load was applied to the central fossa of the pontic in the model. Results The deformations in this study were within the acceptable range except with the PEKK fixed free prosthesis. Tessera showed better results than the porcelain fused to metal as the more elastic modulus allows for absorption of energy from loading. Conclusions Purely used PEKK is not recommended for fixed free dental prosthesis. Low stiffness fixed dental prosthesis material helps in transferring low amount of load to the underneath tissues.

Keywords

• Fixed free
• Prosthesis
• Porcelain fused to metal
• Tessera
• PEKK