iDentistry The Journal January 2017 | Page 5

*Dr. Arpit Sikri **Dr. Poonam Bali ***Dr. Rajnanda Khullar ****Dr. Manpreet Kaur *****Dr. Atulana Roy ******Dr. Asmita Sodhi The Journal PEEK – Applications in Oral Implantology and Prosthodontics Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a polyaromaticsemi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer with mechanicalproperties favorable for bio-medical applications. Polyetheretherketone forms: PEEK- LT1, PEEK-LT2, and PEEK-LT3 have already been applied in different surgical fields: spine surgery, orthopedic surgery, maxillo-facial surgery etc. Synthesis of PEEK composites broadens the physicochemical and mechanical properties of PEEK materials. To improve their osteoinductive and antimicrobial capabilities, different types of functionalization of PEEK surfaces and changes in PEEK structure were proposed. PEEK based materials are becoming an important group of biomaterials used for bone and cartilage replacement as well as in a large number of diverse medical fields. The current paper describes the structural changes and the surface functionalization of PEEK materials and their most common biomedical applications. The possibility to use these materials in 3D printing process could increase the scientific interest and their future development as well.. Introduction Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a polyaromatic semicrystalline thermoplastic polymer with c h e m i c a l f o r m u l a (–C6H4–O–C6H4–O–C6H4–CO–) n [1] . PEEK was commercialized for the industry in the 1980s [2]. It was proposed as a material for biomedical application in 1998 by Invibio Ltd. (Thornton-Cleveleys, UK). In the same year Victrex PEEK business (Imperial Chemical Industry, London UK) launched PEEK-OPTIMA for long-termimplantable applications [2,3] . Describing the properties of PEEK-optima LT1 materials we should differentiate the unfilled PEEK biomaterial from PEEK-composites. Implants based on the PEEK composites have been developed as an alternative to [4] conventional metallic or ceramic devices . i.e. PEEK based implants is presented below. Fig 1 : Chemical structure of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) Clinical application of PEEK and PEEK composites • PEEK as an implant material According to Wolff’s Law, the bone remodels according to the load that has been applied to it. Stress shielding is the reduction in volume of the bone around an implant due to the shielding of nor mal loads by the implant. * Senior Lecturer, Department of Oro-Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences & Research, Faridabad (Haryana). ** Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Dasmesh Institute of Research & Dental Sciences, Faridkot (Punjab). *** Senior Lecturer, Department of Prosthodontics, Dasmesh Institute of Research & Dental Sciences,Faridkot (Punjab). **** Post Graduate Student (Prosthodontics), Dasmesh Institute of Research & Dental Sciences, Faridkot (Punjab). ***** Post Graduate Student (Prosthodontics), Dasmesh Institute of Research & Dental Sciences, Faridkot (Punjab). ****** Post Graduate Student (Prosthodontics), Dasmesh Institute of Research & Dental Sciences, Faridkot (Punjab). 3 1 14 4 Vol. 13 12 No. 1 2 3 May-August Sept-Dec 2017 Jan-April 2016 2016