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. 2025 Aug 25;17(8):e90953.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.90953. eCollection 2025 Aug.

Biomechanical Behavior of Polyether Ether Ketone Composite Dental Implants: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

Meenakshi Thimmappa  1   2 , Greeshma Bj  2 , Neeraja B  1 , Ruchira Paul  1 , Prathyusha Movva  1 , Krishnaprasad Tr  1
Affiliations

Biomechanical Behavior of Polyether Ether Ketone Composite Dental Implants: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

Meenakshi Thimmappa et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to assess the biomechanical performance of polyether ether ketone implants in their unmodified form and composite forms reinforced with carbon fibers, glass fibers, hydroxyapatite, and strontium-hydroxyapatite, using finite element analysis across both low- and high-density bone conditions.

Materials and methods: By using a three-dimensional computer-aided design software (SolidWorks, SolidWorks Corp., Waltham, Massachusetts, United States), finite element models of both unmodified and composite polyether ether ketone implants were developed for low and high bone densities. These models were analyzed using the ANSYS 8.0 simulation platform (Ansys, Inc., Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, United States) under vertical, oblique, and combined loading conditions, applying a force of 100 newtons. Stress and deformation levels were assessed using the von Mises stress criteria.

Results: The unmodified polyether ether ketone implant showed the highest stress and deformation, whereas the carbon fiber-reinforced implant showed the lowest. Stress was more pronounced in low-density bone. All implants concentrated stress in the cervical region. For the unmodified implant, stress values were 34.59, 48.8, and 82.9 megapascals under vertical, oblique, and combined loads, respectively. In comparison, the carbon fiber-reinforced implant showed values of 28.53, 44.88, and 70.95 megapascals under the same conditions.

Conclusion: The carbon fiber-reinforced polyether ether ketone implant demonstrated the most favorable biomechanical characteristics, suggesting its potential for effective clinical use, especially across varying bone densities.

Keywords: 3d finite element analysis; marginal bone loss; peek composite; polyether ether ketone (peek); stress shielding.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve human participants or tissue. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Finite element model meshwork
Figure 2
Figure 2. Boundary conditions considered fixed and frictionless
Figure 3
Figure 3. SOLID92 3D 10-node tetrahedral structural solid
Figure 4
Figure 4. Maximum stress concentration for unmodified PEEK with low-density bone
PEEK: polyether ether ketone
Figure 5
Figure 5. Minimum stress concentration for CFR-PEEK with low-density bone
CFR-PEEK: carbon fiber-reinforced polyether ether ketone
Figure 6
Figure 6. Maximum stress concentration for unmodified PEEK with high-density bone
PEEK: polyether ether ketone
Figure 7
Figure 7. Minimum stress concentration for CFR-PEEK composite with high-density bone
CFR-PEEK: carbon fiber-reinforced polyether ether ketone
Figure 8
Figure 8. Maximum stress concentration for unmodified PEEK with low-density bone: (8A) cervical region of the prosthesis, (8B) implant-abutment interface, and (8C) surrounding bone
PEEK: polyether ether ketone
Figure 9
Figure 9. Maximum deformation with unmodified PEEK: (9A) occlusal surface of the prosthesis, (9B) implant-abutment interface, and (9C) surrounding cortical bone
PEEK: polyether ether ketone
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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