Does the Material Stiffness of Novel High-Performance Polymers for Fixed Partial Dentures Influence Their Biomechanical Behavior?

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of framework materials with different elasticity moduli on the biomechanical performance of fixed partial dentures (FPDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A tooth-anchored three-unit FPD and surrounding tissues were modeled in two variants (veneered/full anatomical FPD) and loaded on the central unit. Three different framework materials (titanium, zirconia, high-performance polymer) were simulated. RESULTS: The polymer framework resulted in reduced framework stresses and increased veneering stresses. Varying the framework material had minimal influence on the loading of surrounding tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Using soft, novel materials as framework for dental FPDs does not negatively influence biomechanical loading of the involved biologic structures.