Stress distribution and prosthesis deformation analysis of different bar materials considering weight in trefoil implant system under various loading conditions: a finite element study

This study evaluated seven bar materials-Titanium (Ti), Cobalt-Chromium (Co-Cr), Zirconia (Zr), Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced PEEK (CFR-PEEK), 3D-printed resin (3D-Pr), and Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-in the Trefoil implant system using three-dimensional finite element analysis under vertical and oblique loads. Stress distribution and prosthesis deformation were analyzed, and a Performance Index combining mass and deformation was calculated. Bar material mainly influenced deformation: metallic bars (Ti, Co-Cr, Zr) showed minimal, while non-metallic (3D-Pr, PMMA) showed higher deformation. Titanium had the best performance, followed by zirconia and CFR-PEEK. Selecting optimal bar materials enhances biomechanical efficiency in Trefoil prostheses.