PEEK MATERIALS IN DENTISTRY

Ayesha Tahir – Batch B

Case Report:
A 35-year-old male presented with the chief complaint of the absence of the right upper first molar
that had been previously extracted (2 years ago) due to unsuccessful endodontic treatment.

After clinical and radiographic evaluation, a good bone availability that enabled a dental implant
placement was observed in the edentulous region, and the use complementary surgical techniques
was not required (i.e. bone or soft-tissue grafts).
Case Report:

Local infiltrative anesthesia was administered prior

to the surgical procedure. Then, a flap was taken
and the bone perforation was made.

A dental implant was placed and a PEEK healing

abutment was installed.

Periapical radiograph was taken to assess the position

of the implant in the bone.

Clinical assessment 28-days after the surgical

procedure reveals good tissue response and healing.
Case Report:

There were no signs of complications during the

postoperative period.

After the twenty-eight-day healing period, a

prosthetic interface was installed.

Prosthetic rehabilitation was performed.

The patient was followed up for 12 months, and

no signs or symptoms of peri-implant pathology
or prosthetic complications were detected.
Contents:

• Introduction to PEEK materials

• History
• Favourable properties
• Advantages/Disadvantages
• Indications
• Uses in different fields of dentistry
• Processing techniques
Introduction to PEEK materials:

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) a member of the

polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family, has recently
emerged as a promising alternative material for
fixed dental prostheses.

It is a high impact polymer material.

Composition:
• Fluorine benzene ketone
• Hydroquinone
• Sodium carbonate
• Potassium carbonate Figure 1. Clinical photographs of PEEK prostheses: (a) Frontal view of PEEK crowns;
• Diphenyl sulfone (b) Occlusal view of PEEK crowns; (c) Frontal view of PEEK fixed partial dentures; (d)
Occlusal view of PEEK fixed partial dentures; (e) Frontal view of PEEK post-and-core;
(f) Occlusal view of PEEK post-and-core
History of PEEK:

PEEK was initially developed and introduced in the 1990s

for applications in the aerospace and automotive
industries due to its exceptional mechanical and thermal
properties. Its biocompatibility and radiolucency made it
an attractive material for medical and dental
applications.

The history of PEEK materials in dentistry can be traced

back to the late 20th century.
Favourable properties:
• Break proof due to high impact strength

• Chemical stability

• Resists high-temperature thermal stress

• Low water solubility

• Minimal bio-corrosion

• Resistant to gamma rays

• Low Young’s modulus

• Balanced stress distribution

• Protects the abutment teeth from temperature fluctuations in the mouth

Favourable properties:

• Lower wear rate than metals and alloys

• Tooth coloured and available in different shades

• Smooth surface

• Prolongs the lifespan of a prosthesis

• No known allergies
Disadvantages:

• Inert and poorly adhesive

• Stiffness is not sufficient to sustain the load-bearing stress

• Low interaction with other materials

• Low resistance to UV light

• Needs high temperatures for processing

• High cost
Indications:
• Implants

a) Implant
b) Abutment
c) Temporary abutment
d) Healing cap

• Endo crowns

• Fixed prostheses

• Removable dentures

• Maxillofacial prostheses

• Orthodontic wire
Uses in different fields of dentistry:

Applications of
PEEK in dentistry
Uses in different fields of dentistry:

PEEK in Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry

• Applied as a space maintainer
• Non-metallic wire in orthodontics
• As retainer

PEEK in Implants
• Positive properties compared to titanium alloys
• Can be used as an implant due to its low elasticity
modulus

PEEK in Endodontics
• As core and post
• As endo crowns
Processing techniques:

CAD/CAM processing:

Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided

Manufacturing (CAM).

CAD involves using special software to design a digital model

of the desired dental restoration. This digital design is based
on the patient's specific dental situation and requirements.

CAM then takes over, using the digital design to guide a

milling machine. The milling machine carves or mills the PEEK
material into the exact shape and size of the restoration
according to the digital design. It follows precise instructions
to create a customized dental restoration that fits the
patient's mouth perfectly.
Processing techniques:

Injection Molding:

Injection molding is a widely used technique for fabricating complex shapes with PEEK. It involves
melting the PEEK pellets and injecting the molten material into a mold cavity under high pressure.
Injection molding typically requires specialized equipment and expertise.

Centrifugal Molding

The molten polymeric material PEEK is placed into a mold and sealed. The mold and polymer are
heated to the point that the polymer is in a liquid state. Then the mold is rotated on multiple axes.
Centrifugal forces cause the polymer to be distributed evenly on the inside surface of the mold. This
manufacturing method can be used to make complex, hollow parts with thin walls and very low
residual stresses. It works very well with reinforced materials.
Review of literature on PEEK materials:

Electronic database searches were performed using the terms “PEEK”, “CAD-CAM”, “dental”,
“dentistry” to identify studies related to the use of PEEK materials in dentistry.

A great number of in vitro studies are available in the current literature pointing out the
noticeable properties of PEEK. The use of PEEK has been recommended for a wide range of CAD-
CAM fabricated fixed and removable dental prostheses. PEEK was additionally recommended for
occlusal splints, intra-radicular posts, implant abutments, customized healing abutments and
provisional restorations.

However, only a few clinical studies were identified.

PEEK could be considered as a viable alternative for fixed and removable dental prostheses to
well-established dental materials. Due to the scarcity of clinical data, clinical trials are needed to
assess the long-term performance of PEEK prostheses.
Summary:

Today, PEEK materials continue to evolve, and their use in dentistry is expanding. They offer a range
of benefits such as biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and excellent mechanical properties.

Over the years, research and development have focused on improving the mechanical properties,
surface modifications, and the integration of PEEK with other materials in dentistry. This includes
the development of composite materials combining PEEK with carbon fibers or ceramics to
enhance strength and modulus of elasticity.

However, it's important to note that PEEK materials are not suitable for all dental applications
and should be carefully evaluated and selected based on the specific clinical requirements of
each case.
References:

• Bezerra, Fabio & Araujo, Felipe & Oliveira, Guilherme & Ghiraldini, Bruna. (2020). Clinical
application of the customizable PEEK healing abutment. A case report. Journal of
Multidisciplinary Dentistry. 10. 93-6. 10.46875/jmd.v10i1.42

• Papathanasiou, I., Kamposiora, P., Papavasiliou, G. et al. The use of PEEK in digital
prosthodontics: A narrative review. BMC Oral Health 20, 217 (2020).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-020-01202-7
Roll number – wise topic distribution:

Kanwal Wahab: Introduction and History.

Sidra Rahim: Disadvantages.

Asma Raheem: Indications.

Aneeqa: Favourable properties

Ayesha Tahir: Case report and review article.

Rimsha Khan: Uses in different fields of dentistry.

Abida Anwar and Marukh Khan: Processing techniques.

Acknowledgements:

Dr. Mohammad Sartaj - Department of Prosthodontics

Dr. Maryam Tahir - Department of Prosthodontics

Dr. Mehreen Zia - Department of Dental Materials

Dr. Amjad Hanif - Department of Dental Materials

Dr. Bushra Mehboob - Department of Dental Education

Any questions?