Comparative evaluation of fracture strength of CAD/CAM anterior FPD framework made with zirconia and peek–an in-vitro study

This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the fracture strength of Computer Aided Designing, Computer Aided Manufacturing, 3-unit anterior Zirconia, and PEEK framework. A prefabricated prepared teeth model for 3-unit anterior FPD in relation to 21,22 & 23 was obtained and scanned using 3 Shape, Trios intraoral scanner, and a metallic die was milled using base metal alloy. The metallic die was scanned using the same Intraoral scanner (3 shape, Trios), and five 3-unit CAD/CAM Zirconia (Group A) and five 3-unit PEEK (Group B) frameworks were fabricated and cemented to the metallic die using resin cement. A universal testing machine was used for the fracture strength evaluation. The load was applied to the specimen at a crosshead speed of 0.5mm/min until catastrophic failure occurred. This was repeated for all the FPD frameworks, and the fracture strength mean value was recorded and statistically analyzed through an Unpaired Student t-test. The mean fracture strength of CAD/CAM Zirconia is 1862 N +18.8149 N, and the mean fracture strength of CAD/CAM PEEK is 2563 N +19.7231 N. The Fracture strength of CAD/CAM PEEK framework was higher than that of CAD/CAM Zirconia framework. The values were statistically significant by 1% (p value < 0.01). Since PEEK showed a significantly higher fracture strength value comparedto Zirconia, it could be an alternative metal-free, esthetic material for replacing missing anterior teeth.