A Comprehensive Review on Manufacturing and Characterization of Polyetheretherketone Polymers for Dental Implant Applications.

Aging, tooth trauma, and pathological infections cause partial or total tooth loss, leading to the usage of dental implants for restoration treatments. As such, mechanical and tribological properties play an important role in the osseointegration and durability of these implants. Metallic and ceramic implants are shown to have mechanical properties much higher than the natural teeth structure, leading to stress shielding-related failure of an implant.

Exploring the bio-mechanical behavior of PEEK and CFR-PEEK materials for dental implant applications using finite element analysis.

Purpose: This study explored the bio-mechanical properties of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and carbon fiber reinforced-PEEK (CFR-PEEK) as potential alternatives to traditional dental implant materials, such as titanium (Ti) and zirconia (ZrO). Conventional implant materials often exhibit stress shielding leading to peri-implant bone loss and implant failure.

Study Selection: Finite element analysis using a three-dimensional computer-aided-design (3D CAD) model of the jawbone with various implant materials (titanium, zirconia, PEEK, and CFR-PEEK) incorporated was implemented to assess the effectiveness of PEEK and CFR-PEEK.