Does the Material Stiffness of Novel High-Performance Polymers for Fixed Partial Dentures Influence Their Biomechanical Behavior?
To investigate the influence of framework materials with different elasticity moduli on the biomechanical performance of fixed partial dentures (FPDs).



A tooth-anchored three-unit FPD and surrounding tissues were modeled in two variants (veneered/full anatomical FPD) and loaded on the central unit. Three different framework materials (titanium, zirconia, high-performance polymer) were simulated.



The polymer framework resulted in reduced framework stresses and increased veneering stresses. Varying the framework material had minimal influence on the loading of surrounding tissue.



Using soft, novel materials as framework for dental FPDs does not negatively influence biomechanical loading of the involved biologic structures.
Ludger
L
Keilig
Helmut
H
Stark
Christoph
C
Bourauel
D000044:Dental Abutments; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D003801:Dental Veneers; D003779:Denture Design; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D011108:Polymers
D011108:Polymers; D003776:Dental Porcelain