Evaluation of retention and wear of nylon versus polyether ketone ketone (PEKK) inserts for locator attachments retaining mandibular implant overdenture: A crossover study

Mohamed Elghandour, Postgraduate student, Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University, EgyptFollow
Fatma Fathe Mahanna, Assistant Professor, Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University, Egypt
Gilan Altonbary, Assistant Professor, Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University, Egypt

Article Type

Original Article

Section/Category

Restorative Dentistry

Abstract

Objective: assessment and comparison between the retention and surface wear of nylon and polyether ketone ketone (PEKK) inserts of locator attachments retaining mandibular implant overdenture. Materials and methods: For this research, six patients, completely edentulous,were selected; each participant had received mandibular implants in the canine regions on each side, followed by locator attachments. Using a crossover design, patients were randomly assigned to receive different mandibular overdentures as follows. 1) Implantretained overdenture with nylon inserts; 2) Implant-retained overdenture with PEKK inserts. Retention measurements were conducted at three-time intervals: T0 (after pickup), T3 (3 months post-insertion of overdenture)and T6 (6 months post-insertion of overdenture) using a force meter device. For the surface wear analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to scan both PEKK and nylon inserts at all three time points (T0, T3, and T6). Results: The retentive forces of the nylon and PEKK inserts in the locator attachment system were shown to differ statistically significantly at different evaluation times. Compared to nylon inserts, PEKK inserts showed less wear and dimensional changes at (T3) and (T6). A comparative analysis of locator attachment systems revealed that the retention forces of PEKK and nylon inserts differed significantly across evaluation periods (p < 0.05). PEKK inserts exhibited superior performance, maintaining significantly greater retention stability while showing less surface wear and dimensional deformation at both(T3) and(T6)assessments compared to nylon counterparts. Conclusions: PEKK inserts in locator attachment systems may offer more predictable and stable retention and wear resistance in contrast to the traditional nylon inserts.

Keywords

implant overdenture; PEKK insert; locator; retention force

How to Cite This Article

Elghandour M , Mahanna F , Altonbary G . Evaluation of retention and wear of nylon versus polyether ketone ketone (PEKK) inserts for locator attachments retaining mandibular implant overdenture: A crossover study. Mans J Dent. 2025; 12(3):
Available at: https://doi.org/10.61793/2812-5479.1164