Peek polymer in orthodontics: A pilot study on children

Abstract

The purpose of the study has been making the orthodontic space maintainers in PEEK polymer (Polyetheretherketone) through a digital workflow. New digital technologies are taking hold in diagnosis, therapy and in dental laboratories. The digital world can help dentist in diagnosis and therapy: -diagnosis through the acquisition of radiographic images (CBCT) or scanners which allow the creation of 3D digital models – about therapy thanks to dental CAD CAM system. It consists of design devices through an dedicated software CAD and then realize devices through CAM system. We used digital system to improve the quality of the treatment and reduce costs. Peek polymer, subject of studies in recent years, thanking to its characteristics, resulted useful for this study. According to a nine month- follow up the devices were found comfortable, satisfying, personalized and minimally visible for the patients. These devices were found suitable to maintain the space. About material, thanks to its dimensional stability, mechanical strength but specially, thanks to its biocompatibility, PEEK was found as a very good material to build space maintainers. The workflow allowed a simulation of the treatment plan with a better collaboration and acceptance of the patient. Digital system reduced the systematic mistakes during the various phases and the production time. The digital system saved space creating a virtual plaster casts collection. Key words:PEEK, CAD/CAM system, space maintainers, orthodontic prevention.

Review on Development and Dental Applications of Polyetheretherketone-Based Biomaterials and Restorations

“…PEEK is highly promising as an excellent alternative to metal alloys. For dental applications, PEEK overcomes some of the main shortcomings of metal alloys, such as poor aesthetics, metal allergies, releasing metal ions and corrosion in the oral environment [ 15 , 16 , 57 ]. PEEK also avoids the interference of metals with magnetic resonance imaging [ 17 ].…”

PEEK in dentistry, properties and application areas

“…The aim here is to improve the quality of treatment. Also, PEEK is promising as an orthodontic appliance (59). For a solution of nonmetallic wire in orthodontics, PEEK arc wires have been developed.…”

New generation children’s denture obtained with 3D technology – a case report

“…PEEK ma dobre właściwości mechaniczne, a zwłaszcza cechuje się odpornością na wysoką temperaturę i hydrolizę, dzięki czemu nadaje się do sterylizacji. Ponadto, ze względu na bardzo dobrą tolerancję tkankową, nie ma cech materiału kancerogennego (1). Najbardziej charakterystyczną cechą PEEK jest niski moduł sprężystości, zbliżony do modułu kości (3,6 GPa), dlatego pierwsze zastosowanie PEEK miało miejsce w ortopedii, jako materiału zastępującego tkankę kostną do wykonywana protez ortopedycznych takich struktur, jak kręgi, staw biodrowy, create gypsum models are replaced with digital equivalents /scans/ and virtual models.…”