Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK): An emerging biomaterial for oral implants and dental prostheses

Abstract

BackgroundThe polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) are the two most well-known of the polyaryletherketone (PAEK) family. PEKK is a new evolving polymeric material. PEKK biomaterials is an elastic material with good shock absorbance and fracture resistance and present ultra-high performance among all thermoplastic composites for excellent mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and high thermal stability. Aims of ReviewThe aim of this review is to present a comprehensive overview of PEKK and its various applications in restorative, prosthetic, and implant dentistry highlighting its prospects for clinical applications. Key Scientific Concepts of ReviewAvailable articles on PEKK for dental applications were reviewed from January 1957 to August 2020) using MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect resources. PEKK presents suitable physical, mechanical, and chemical properties for applications in prosthodontics and oral implantology. PEKK has good potential for a wide range of dental applications, including tooth restorations, crowns, bridge, endoposts, denture framework, implant-supported fixed prosthesis, and dental implants. PEKK dental implants have shown lesser stress shielding compared to titanium for dental implant applications. Further modifications and improving material properties can result in broader applications in the field of dentistry. Long term evaluations are needed as PEKK is recently applied in dentistry, and there are limited studies published on PEKK.