In Vitro Performance Evaluation Of Peek Abutment On Titanium Implants Vs Titanium Abutment On Titanium Implants At Implant Abutment Connection Interface –A Tribocorrosion Study

Abstract

Implants must be able to support masticatory loads combined with a high biocompatibility and wear resistance in the presence of a corrosive environment. In order to improve the simultaneous wear and corrosion response at the implant abutment interface, PEEK/titanium and titanium/titanium implants were assessed by tribocorrosion analyses under conditions mimicking the oral environment. The tribocorrosion tests samples were performed on a reciprocating ball-on-plate tribometer at 30N normal load in artificial saliva at 37⁰C. Open circuit potential (OCP) was measured before and after reciprocating sliding tests. The worn surfaces were characterized by stereomicroscopy. The results revealed a lower wear rate on PEEK combined with a lower coefficient of friction (COF), when compared to titanium.