Failure analysis of high performance polymers and new generation cubic zirconia used for implant-supported fixed, cantilevered prostheses.

BACKGROUND: The load-to-failure performance of computer-assisted design and computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD-CAM) high performance polymers (HPP) and new generation cubic zirconia (Zir) material when used with titanium (Ti) bases for implant-supported fixed prostheses with cantilevers is unknown. PURPOSE: To evaluate the load-to-failure performance of different CAD-CAM fabricated HPP and a new generation cubic Zir in a cantilevered situation when used with Ti bases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five specimens with a Ti base and five specimens without Ti bases were fabricated from seven different CAD-CAM HPPs (100% PEEK [J and CP], 80% PEEK with 20% filler [BRE], 80% PEKK with 20% filler [PK], ceramic reinforced PEEK [ZZ], interlaced fiberglass and resin [TR], fiber-composite material [T]). Five specimens with Ti base and two specimens without Ti base were prepared from a new generation cubic Zir (DD) and a 3Y-TZP Zir (FZR) as the control group (N = 84). All specimens (8 x 7 x 30 mm) were stabilized using a clamp attached to the first 20 mm of each specimen for a 10 mm cantilever. Static loading was applied vertically on the cantilever and the maximum load-to-failure values (N) were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA and t-test (alpha = .05). RESULTS: HPP and Zir specimens without Ti bases had significantly higher load-to-failure values than Ti based ones in all groups (P < .05). PK with Ti base had significantly lower load-to-failure values than other materials (P < .001). FZR showed significantly higher load-to-failure values than all HPPs and DD (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Load-to-failure values of HPPs and Zir were lower when Ti bases were used. New generation cubic Zir and all HPPs had lower load-to-failure values than FZR. HPPs performance varied among tested materials. PEKK with Ti base had the lowest load-to-failure value.