Product category:
Materials and components
News Release from: Invibio | Subject: Lifecore Biomedical
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 16 May 2002
Polymer adds bite to healing abutment
caps
Lifecore Biomedical has used Peek-Optima polymer to improve the healing cap component of its cement-on-crown abutment systems, replacing titanium.
Lifecore Biomedical of Chaska, Minnesota, USA, selected Peek-Optima polymer, a high-performance biocompatible polyaryetherketone from Invibio, to improve the healing cap component of its cement-on-crown (COC) abutment systems, replacing titanium According to Michael Klardie, Manager of Implant Technology of Lifecore, "We chose Peek-Optima because of its biocompatibility and excellent compressive strength, and because it provides the closest match to the colour of natural dentition"
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 22 Mar 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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When Lifecore Biomedical wanted to improve the healing cap component of its cement-on-crown abutment systems, it chose Peek-Optima, a high-performance biocompatible material from Invibio.
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Long-term implantation studies have been completed for Peek-Optima polymer and documentation, including ISO10993 and USP Class VI, is contained in detailed Master Files at the FDA.
These include Device Master Files (MAF) and Drug Master Files (DMF).
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After completion of soft tissue healing and full integration of bone and dental implant, a load-bearing cement-on-crown (COC) abutment is attached to the implant and an impression is made of the implant-abutment assembly for construction of the prosthetic crown.
Pending completion of the finished crown, the exposed abutment and implant margin are protected by covering with a healing cap.
Healing caps made of Peek-Optima polymer protect the margins and provide the added benefit of affording a nonmetallic neutral colour similar to natural dentition.
Compressive strength was a very important factor when choosing a polymer to replace the titanium.
"When a patient is chewing food", explains Michael Callahan, President of Invibio, "The compressive strength of the cap is critical because this is what is acting as the tooth.
As the top of the cap, where the chewing occurs, is a very thin wall section, there is naturally a concern about adequate compressive strength.
Peek-Optima polymer was selected partly on the basis that it is superior to other polymers in maintaining compressive loads in these kinds of thin wall sections".
Another reason for choosing Peek-Optima polymer is that it is compatible with the cement to bond the cap to the titanium abutment.
It is important that the cemented bond is not permanent.
It is essential that the cap does not come off while in use, but equally it is important that the dentist can remove it when necessary.
The nature of the cemented joint between titanium and Peek-Optima polymer allows this to happen.
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