Aim: This study investigates the mechanical performance of obturators fabricated from PEKKTON, PEEK, and traditional Cobalet-chromium materials using finite element analysis. Methods : One three dimensional finite element model was created for this study. Starting by cast laser scanning to create solid parts of the model "cortical, cancellous, mucosa, obturator, and partial denture" that to simulate restoration of maxillectomy defects. The model was subjected to average masticatory load of 200N distributed on the partial denture vertically and oblique. Results: The results of the three obturator materials showed too similar deformation and stresses distributions with small variation in values. The obturator with highest rigidity and stiffness "CoCr" showed higher resistance to the applied load, specially the lateral component of the oblique load. The acrylic partial denture did not show considerable difference in both total deformation (of order 3.8 and 11.5 micron) nor von Mises stress (about 6.17 and 9.21 MPa) with changing obturators material under vertical and oblique loading cases respectively. Conclusions : Within the study limitations, the obtained results within this study indicated that the three tested materials can be used. PEKKTON and PEEK as obturator materials showed too close results and better performance than CoCr one. That, it will not face failure even with increasing the applied load several times.
Mostafa S. Swedan (Thu,) studied this question.