Dr. Arpit Sikri, Dr. Jyotsana Sikri
(Part 1 - Stay tuned for Part 2 - Applications of PEEK in real life case scenarios)
ABSTRACT (1-5)
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a vital dental material belonging to the family of polyaryletherketones (PAEKs). It is commonly categorized as “high-performance polymer”. The exceptional properties of PEEK has made this material “a wonder material” to be used for various applications not only in medicine but also in dentistry . In medicine, PEEK has been widely used in cardiology, orthopaedics and surgical procedures pertaining to maxillo-facial & spinal regions. In dentistry, PEEK has been used as the material of choice in field of restorative dentistry, orthodontics as well as implantology. This article reviews about PEEK as a material along with its multi-varied applications and various future perspectives in dentistry.
KEY WORDS: PEEK, polymer, PAEK, dental material, HPP, biomaterial, dental applications, thermoplastic polymer
Introduction
Polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) is a specialized novel type of plastic, which is thermoplastic engineered. It has a wide variety of properties namely excellent mechanical, chemical and biological . The fundamental properties and advantages of PEEK polymer include:
- Thermal properties i.e. higher thermal stability. The melting point (Tm) of PEEK is around 334–343°C with a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 143°C;
- PEEK is known to have superb toughness and rigidity;
- As far as creep is concerned, PEEK exhibits the best creep resistance out of all biomaterials;
- A plethora of processing methods can be used for PEEK i.e. injection molding, additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, compression molding, extrusion molding etc;
- PEEK has amazing wear resistance properties. The incorporation of carbon fibres (CF), graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) furthermore improves the abrasion resistance of the same;
- In addition to the abrasion resistance, the other important mechanical properties make use of inclusion of the carbon fibre (CF), glass fiber (GF) and barium sulfate (BaSO4), to meet various requirements;
- Cytotoxicity – PEEK is particularly known for its biocompatibility and least cytotoxicity;
- Stress shielding effect – PEEK is known to have elastic modulus closer to that of the human bone. This helps in prevention of stress shielding.
- Sterilization compatibility – PEEK has been quite sterilization friendly. Even at higher temperatures kept for sterilization, it has unaltered properties.
Synthesis & Structure
PEEK is generally synthesized with the help of step-growth polymerization and is denoted as follows (Figure 1):
Properties
PEEK is known to exhibit excellent physical, mechanical, chemical and biological properties. The physical properties of PEEK are depicted in Figure 2.
The mechanical properties of PEEK are depicted in Figure 3.
The chemical properties of PEEK are depicted in Figure 4.
The biological properties of PEEK are depicted in Figure 5.
Applications
PEEK enjoys a plethora of applications in restorative dentistry due to its superior physical, chemical, mechanical and biological properties (Figure 6)
PEEK has been actively used in restorative field, fixed prosthodontics, framework for cast partial dentures & implant-supported fixed prosthesis, and majorly as dental implant biomaterial. In addition to this, the incorporation of various fibres and surface modifications with coatings has further broadened the horizon of its use.
Conclusion
The PEEK materials are a boon to the dental field. This can be related to its phenomenal properties i.e. mechanical, chemical properties and biological. Based on these properties, PEEK has been known for the wide variety of applications in both medicine and dentistry. Inspite of the extensive review of literature on PEEK as a biomaterial, long term evaluations are still needed to prove the efficacy of PEEK as a biomaterial in dentistry. At the end, it can be rightly said “PEEK is a prodigious material in dentistry”.
Where PEEK fits in contemporary dentistry
Polyetheretherketone is a high-performance thermoplastic valued for low density, chemical stability, radiolucency and an elastic modulus closer to bone than many metals. These properties create opportunities, but low surface energy and limited inherent translucency mean bonding and esthetics require careful material-specific planning.
| Application | Potential advantage | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Removable or fixed frameworks | Light weight and metal-free design | Veneering, connector design and evidence base |
| Implant-related components | Radiolucency and mechanical compatibility | Indication-specific fatigue and surface requirements |
| Temporary restorations | Machinability and durability | Colour and bonding protocol |
| Custom devices | Digital manufacturing potential | Processing quality and regulatory indication |
Compare PEEK with conventional restorative workflows in the crown and bridge guide. Impression accuracy is covered in the inlay/onlay impression protocol, while direct resin esthetics are explored in the composite shade-selection case.
Frequently asked questions
Is PEEK a universal replacement for zirconia or metal?
No. Selection depends on indication, design, esthetics, bonding, laboratory capability and supporting clinical evidence.
Why is PEEK bonding challenging?
Its chemically resistant, low-energy surface usually requires validated surface treatment and an appropriate adhesive system.
What evidence gap matters most?
Long-term clinical comparisons for specific dental indications remain more limited than laboratory evidence.
