Fracture Strength and Failure Mode of Maxillary Implant-Supported Provisional Single Crowns: A Comparison of Composite Resin Crowns Fabricated Directly Over PEEK Abutments and Solid Titanium Abutments

ABSTRACT Background: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) temporary abutments have been recently introduced for making implant‐supported provisional single crowns. Little information is available in the dental literature on the durability of provisional implant‐supported restorations. Purpose: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the fracture strength of implant‐supported composite resin crowns on PEEK and solid titanium temporary abutments, and to analyze the failure types. Material and Methods: Three types of provisional abutments, RN synOcta Temporary Meso Abutment (PEEK; Straumann), RN synOcta Titanium Post for Temporary Restorations (Straumann), and Temporary Abutment Engaging NobRplRP (Nobel Biocare) were used, and provisional screw‐retained crowns using composite resin (Solidex) were fabricated for four different locations in the maxilla. The specimens were tested in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/minute until fracture occurred. The failure types were analyzed and further categorized as irreparable (Type 1) or reparable (Type 2). Results: No significant difference was found between different abutment types. Only for the position of the maxillary central incisor, composite resin crowns on PEEK temporary abutments showed significantly lower (p