Evaluation of gingival health of abutments using poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) overdenture: A randomized clinical trial

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the effect of using PEEK material on gingival health of the overdenture abutments.Materials and Methods: Twelve patients with remaining two mandibular canines will be selected (from the outpatient clinic of Prosthetic department Faculty of Oral & Dental medicine, Cairo University) to participate in this study and divided randomly into two groups. Group I patients will receive mandibular overdenture constructed from Polymethyl methacrylate (conventional) acrylic resin (control group). Group II patients will receive mandibular overdenture constructed from PEEK. All patients will be evaluated for abutments’ gingival health in form of pocket depth, gingival index and gingival fluid at overdenture insertion as a baseline, 3 month and 6 months after insertion.Results: The gingival index scores, pocket depth recordings and gingival fluid evaluation showed that abutments of group II were gingivally healthier than abutments of group I.Conclusion: The PEEK material is considered a promising material for preserving the the retained dentition underneath the Overdentures.