Patient Centered Outcomes and Marginal Bone Changes in CAD/CAM Metallic and Poly Ether Ether Ketone (PEEK) Partial Denture Frameworks

The traditional RPDs with cobalt chromium frameworks and clasps have been proven to be inexpensive, accurate, durable and resistant to distortion .2 On the other hand, they have; unesthetic display of metallic clasps, increased weight, and may provoke an allergic reaction. Because of those drawbacks new metal-free materials have been reported as a replacement of metal alloys in manufacturing RPDs, including; high performance polymers such as polyethylene glycol, polyetherketonketon (PEKK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK) and Polyetheretherketon (PEEK).

Using PEEK and modified PEEK (BioHPP) frameworks were claimed to reduce the distal torqueing and stresses on the abutments in kennedy class I PPDs which is thought to be beneficial for periodontal health of the abutments.10 One of the factors for the dissatisfaction related to the dentures may be attributed to the level of oral perception of each patient. The satisfaction level of the patient is influenced by several factors, including the dentures quality and the plated area, the quality of interaction in the patient-dentist relationship, past experiences with full dentures, and the psychological personality6. In harmony, such factors may promote the improvement of the mastication, the speech, and the aesthetics of the teeth, besides producing less discomfort and pain sensitivity, favoring the comminution of harder food7. However, there are no clinical trials evaluating the effect of PEEK on patient satisfaction and the marginal bone loss around the abutments.