Finite‐Element Analysis Study Comparing Titanium and Polyetheretherketone Caps in a Conometric Connection between Implant and Prosthesis

Prosthetic retention relies on the perfect adaptation between the cap and the abutment of a dental implant. The conometric connection ensures retention similar to cemented systems, preventing bacterial infiltration and sustaining a high implant success rate. Furthermore, the material used for the cap plays a crucial role in distributing stress on the implant components and bone. Traditionally, caps use titanium (Ti), but ongoing research investigates polyetheretherketone (PEEK) for its bone-like qualities and similar elasticity to Ti. In this finite-element analysis study, stress and strain distributions are compared between crestal and subcrestal implants using Ti and PEEK conometric caps, assessing retention through cap displacement to determine the material best suited for proper retention aligned with implant insertion depth. In the findings, an improvement in stress and strain is indicated on trabecular bone, a reduction in stress on cortical bone, and thus enhanced implant stability due to higher stresses around the implant threads, particularly with PEEK coping and subcrestal placement. Consequently, PEEK emerges as a promising substitute for Ti in conometric caps as it absorbs stress more effectively, distributing it across prosthetics to counter stress shielding and prevent implant failure.This finite-element analysis assesses stress and strain in peri-implant bone and implants with conometric titanium or polyetheretherketone (PEEK) caps, placed crestally or subcrestally. In the results, it is indicated that subcrestal placement of PEEK-capped implants reduces cortical bone stress and increases trabecular bone stress, suggesting its potential to enhance bone stimulation, implant stability, and prevent bone resorption.image (c) 2024 WILEY-VCH GmbH