title: Applications of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) in oral implantology and prosthodontics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a polymer that has many potential uses in dentistry. The aim of this review was to summarize the outcome of research conducted on the material for dental applications. In addition, future prospects of PEEK in the field of clinical dentistry have been highlighted.
  
  
  METHODS
  An electronic search was carried out via the PubMed (Medline) database using keywords 'polyetheretherketone', 'dental' and 'dentistry' in combination. Original research papers published in English language in last fifteen year were considered. The studies relevant to our review were critically analyzed and summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PEEK has been explored for a number of applications for clinical dentistry. For example, PEEK dental implants have exhibited lesser stress shielding compared to titanium dental implants due to closer match of mechanical properties of PEEK and bone. PEEK is a promising material for a number of removable and fixed prosthesis. Furthermore, recent studies have focused improving the bioactivity of PEEK implants at the nanoscale.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering mechanical and physical properties similar to bone, PEEK can be used in many areas of dentistry. Improving the bioactivity of PEEK dental implants without compromising their mechanical properties is a major challenge. Further modifications and improving the material properties may increase its applications in clinical dentistry.
authors.affiliation: School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Shariq
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Najeeb
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Taibah University, Madinah Al Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: drsohail_78@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Muhammad S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Zafar
authors.affiliation: School of Metallurgy and Materials, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK; Department of Biomedical Engineering, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Zohaib
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khurshid
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral Health & Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
authors.forename: Fahad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
mesh_terms: D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003442:Crowns; D059605:Dental Implant-Abutment Design; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials; D017266:Dental Prosthesis; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D006801:Humans; D007659:Ketones; D049329:Nanostructures; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011108:Polymers
chemical_list: D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials; D007659:Ketones; D011108:Polymers; C063834:polyetheretherketone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
keywords: Bioactivity; Implants; PEEK; Polymers; Prosthodontics