Bredent BioHPP

BioHPP is a material based on PEEK (polyetheretherketone), which has already been successfully used in operations carried out on humans for many years. Thanks to its excellent stability, its optimal polishable properties and its low plaque affinity, BioHPP is particularly well suited for producing high-quality prosthetic restorations.

The elasticity of the material, which lies within the range of bone, makes it a more natural material, as it is able to compensate for the torsion of bone, in particular in the case of larger implant work. The aesthetic white shade supports its use in the field of prosthetics.

The initial PEEK material
For more than 30 years, PEEK has been used in human medicine as an implant material (finger prostheses, intervertebral discs and hip joint prostheses). The benefits lie in the highly biocompatible material properties, which make fusion with the bone possible. What is more, the mechanical material properties are very similar to that of the bone skeleton. As a rule, PEEK is used in medicinal products, in order to achieve greater benefits: in order to make a product lighter, have a higher level of design freedom and a higher level of functional integration on the one hand, but also as a cheaper alternative to precious metal or other materials, on the other hand. Its performance characteristics include biocompatibility, chemical stability, resistance to gamma and X-ray radiation and radiological transparency (no production of artefacts). PEEK (polyetheretherketone) is the most significant representative of polyaryletherketone (PAEK). This is a partially crystalline, thermoplastic high temperature resistant high performance polymer with a melting temperature of approx.

Knowledge of the mechanical properties of a material is important in order to be able to determine the envisioned indications from it. The E-modulus, the maximum fracture resistance, the bond strength and the polishing properties are crucial factors in this case. In cooperation with Jena University (Outpatient Department for Dental Prosthetics and Materials) and Regensburg University (Specialist field of Dental Prosthetics), BioHPP was scientifically and clinically assessed during in vitro tests with regard to the aforementioned material properties.

Elasticity modulus
The E-modulus of BioHPP lies in the range of 4000 MPa, which very strongly resembles the elasticity of human bone (e.g. in the mandible). The chewing forces are therefore cushioned, even with implant-supported bridges.

Fracture resistance
The maximum fracture resistance indicates the force – measured in Newtons - at which the sample fails (4-part bridge on human stumps in our trial structure). Values of up to 1200 Newtons were reached during this test, which, in comparison to a maximum chewing force of 500 Newton.

Plaque resistance
The polishing properties of BioHPP are of eminent importance. These properties counteract plaque deposits and discolouration even in exposed surfaces and framework structures. Gum irritation is ruled out due to the surface quality of the material and its low rough depth of 0.018 microns RA (Jena Uni).

BioHPP was developed by Bredent Germany and introduced at the IDS13. In the meantime it is already a great success in Britain and Germany. It is available in pressable pellets and CAD/CAM blocks to be milled in any open CAD/CAM System.