Fracture load analysis of telescopic overdentures fabricated from PEEK and zirconia

Edentulous patients often face challenges with denture retention and stability, making telescopic overdentures a preferred prosthetic option. The choice of material critically affects the strength and longevity of these restorations. Therefore, it is of interest to compare the fracture load resistance of telescopic overdentures fabricated with PEEK and zirconia copings after thermocycling. Zirconia demonstrated significantly higher fracture load values (1298.4 ± 110.7 N) than PEEK (845.6 ± 92.3 N, p = 0.002), though PEEK showed more favorable, repairable failure patterns. While zirconia provides superior fracture resistance, PEEK remains advantageous for its light weight, flexibility and ease of repair, emphasizing the need for material selection based on clinical demands.