Introduction: Restoring the edentulous patient by an overdenture on splinted implants with cantilever bar can reduce the overload risk to every implant.
Aim of the study: the aim of the study is to compare strain around implants assisted mandibular overdenture and on the ridge areas between metal and PEEK cantilever bar.
Materials and methods: 20 epoxy models were used.Two root form implants were placed bilaterally in the canine region of each edentulous epoxy mandibular model. 20 epoxy models were divided into 2 groups group A (control group) and group B (study group). For (Group A) the implants were linked with metallic cantilevered bar with 7.0 mm distal extension. For (group B) the implants were attached with PEEK cantilevered bar with the same distal extension length .Six linear strain gauges were connected around each implant and on the ridge areas. Strain values were measured under unilateral and central loading around the implants and on the ridge areas using a loading tool under (60 N) force. And the same measurements were repeated after 120,000 and 240,000 cyclic loading using cycling loading machine.
Results: A statistically substantial change of strain values was found between the two groups before cyclic loading and after 120.000 and 240.000 cyclic loading. Metal cantilever bar showed higher strain values compared with PEEK cantilever bar (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: PEEK cantilever bar exerts less strain and show favorable load around the implants and on the ridge areas.